Page 34 of Stolen Salvation

“You sure?”

Charlie eyed Bás behind him, looking like she was about to go to bat for him and he winked at her. “One hundred percent sure.”

He watched her walk away, her hips swinging, her delectable ass in those jeans the stuff dreams were made of, waiting until she was out of earshot before he spun to face Bás.

“You good?”

Bishop hadn’t been expecting that question. He went to answer by rote but stopped at the arched eyebrow from his boss and friend. If he lied to Bás, the man wouldn’t think twice about grounding him. “I’m processing a few things and dealing with others.”

“Anything you need to share?”

“Not right now.”

Bás lifted his chin to the door where Charlie had disappeared. “And Charlie?”

“Let’s just say not everything is as I assumed it was. She has her own shit to deal with too and I’m at a loss with how to help her.” Bishop grasped the back of his neck and turned away. “Truth is, I didn’t help her. I fucked up.”

“Bishop, I have no idea what it’s like to have a child let alone lose one, but I’m telling you right now, that woman loves you and it’s clear as day you love her.”

“It’s not always enough though, is it? You can love someone more than your own life and still not be able to make it work.”

“I won’t pretend to know about that either. I’ve never been in love before, but I can tell you communication is the key. Talk to her, tell her how you feel, and really listen when she speaks. Most people won’t give up and tell you what they need. Especially a woman like her who’s used to looking after others.”

Bishop squinted at Bás, jealousy blasting through him at the thought Bás might know her better.

Holding up a hand he moved closer. “Cool down, I read her file. I know about her mother and her useless piece of shit father.” Bás’ hand landed on his shoulder. “Talk to her. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable if you want her back. You both went through something awful, and everyone processes things differently.”

“What if it’s not enough?”

“You won’t know unless you try.”

“Easier said than done, Bás.”

“I never said it would be easy.”

“Why are you so invested in this?”

Now it was Bás turn to sigh. “I see how you are together, how you look at her. It’s how Sebastian looks at Snow, how Bein looks at Aoife. You’d burn the whole world down to see her smile.”

Bishop nodded, slowly realising his boss was right. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for Charlie.

“Let’s start by finding Andrea, though.”

“Good plan.”

Chapter 14

“What the hell are you wearing?”

Charlie turned toward the doorway of the bedroom she was using at the safe house in Leeds and looked at her ex-husband. His eyes travelled over her legs, up her body, pausing on her ass before moving up to stall once more on her breasts before landing on her face. The heat in his stare almost made her combust with desire. Hooded eyes made her cross her leg in front of her to ease the ache between them. “A dress.”

Noah stepped into the room, the sleeves of his black shirt rolled up exposing the corded muscle of his forearms and the watch she’d given him as a wedding present. Surprised to see it, she didn’t catch his next words until he growled.

“Don’t look at me like that while wearing that scrap of fabric or we won’t be leaving this room.” Stormy eyes drank her in as he traced an invisible line over her body, making goosebumps break out on her skin.

Turning back to the mirror, her hands shook as she tried to hook an earring in her lobe.

“Let me.” Noah took the dangly crystal hoop from her hand and swept her hair back from her neck as he gently inserted the earring. His knuckles brushed the curve of her neck and made her nipples bead. “There.”