Page 228 of Stay Scared

Owen looks at me.

I let the silence sit there, then extend one hand.

He takes it.

There is nothing timid about the grip. His fingers lock around mine and pull me just far enough that Cade has to release the wall pin or drag us both with him.

Cade gives him a murderous look.

Owen ignores it.

“You stayed away,” I say.

His thumb moves over the side of my hand. “I deleted your address from every personal system I had.”

“That was probably wise.”

“I memorized it first.”

Of course he did.

Cade mutters something obscene while Owen keeps his eyes on mine.

“I stayed away.”

“Were you tempted?”

“Constantly.”

He wanted to watch and chose restraint instead. Neither fact makes the other prettier.

I step closer to him. Owen’s breathing shifts.

“You sent the report.”

“I needed you to know the archive was gone.”

“You wrote that you wanted to keep it.”

“I did.”

“Still do?”

“If it existed, I would still want it.”

I believe that immediately. My fingers close harder around his.

“That is what I wanted to hear.”

Owen’s eyes narrow. “That is an unusual response.”

“I didn’t come back because the three of you became safe.”

Cade makes a quiet sound beside me.

I look at him. “Give me a minute.”

His attention moves from Owen to our joined hands.