Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

have to know about me, honey. I think my thoughts on Gratsos and how I would like to see him in agony before he dies might be one of them.†His voice was matter-of-fact, but there was no humor in his mind and she knew he wasn’t joking with her.
    El e took a breath, her fingers tightening on his shoulders to hold herself up. “Has he destroyed both of us?â€
    His gaze jumped to her face again. “Absolutely not. That son of a bitch doesn’t have the power to destroy us, El e. We’re down, but we’re not out. We’l be getting back up stronger than ever.â€
    His mouth curved in a humorless smile, but it caught at her heart. “I was already this way long before Stavros came into our lives. I just never let you see the real me.â€
    â€œI like the real you,†El e whispered.
    His eyes went warm. He reached up and shut off the water. “The antiseptic is going to sting, honey.†He wrapped her in a soft towel and blotted the water from her, trying to keep from touching any of the wounds, but it was impossible.
    â€œYou’re not hurting me,†she assured. Her body shuddered under the brush of the towel, but she held on to him and kept her chin up.
    â€œYou don’t have to protect me, El e. I know it hurts, I’ve been there, remember?†No one had washed his wounds or sterilized them. Flies and mosquitoes had flocked to the raw, seeping injuries and feasted. He pushed the thought away quickly, but knew by her swift inhale that she’d caught a glimpse. He fought back the need to pul his mind from hers, to hide his past and the monster it shaped from her.
    â€œDon’t,†El e said. “Please don’t. I need you. I need this. I need to know you survived and became someone useful and I need to see you as you real y are, so I have some hope.†She ducked her head, avoiding his eyes as she confessed. “I don’t have much hope in me right at this moment. You’re a deputy, you’re not a monster. You’ve chosen to help people, not hurt them. I need you so much right now, Jackson.
    Don’t hide from me.â€
    He brought both of her hands to his mouth and kissed her fingertips. “Whatever you need, princess, you know I’l do it.†He led her to the bed and gestured for her to lie down on her stomach so he could apply the antiseptic and bandage the worst of the stil weeping wounds. His gut was in hard knots. He may have chosen to be a deputy on the surface and wear a badge, but deep down where his soul was, he was capable of things El e should never have to think about. In his way, he was as violent and twisted as Stavros.
    El e’s breath hitched in her throat. “You’re not. Don’t think that. You’re not.â€
    He hoped to hel she was right.

    7
    JACKSON came awake, gun in his fist, his gaze already searching the room for a target. He didn’t move, aware of El e curled beside him, wearing only his shirt and bandages. The noise had come from her, a smal distressed sound that was heartbreaking. He let his breath out and slipped the gun back beneath his pil ow, turning careful y so as not to brush against her wounds.
    El e sat up abruptly, hands going out defensively, striking at some unseen attacker, her breasts heaving beneath the thin shirt as she fought for air. She twisted her head, searching frantical y around the room before dropping one palm on his chest.
    Jackson. He’s here.
    Her voice, so thin, fil ed with terror, along with the stark panic on her white face, gave him a chil ing moment. Fingers of fear slid down his spine and his bel y knotted in response. He glanced at the German Shepherd lying across the doorway. The dog was alert, ful y aware of El e, but giving off no alarm.
    Jackson relaxed.
    â€œLook at Bomber, honey. He’s highly trained. He’d alert us if there was an intruder.â€
    â€œI heard his voice. Whispering to me.†Her hand crept to her throat, fingers stroking restlessly, as if her throat was sore. Even her voice was strained, as if it hurt to talk.
    â€œWhat did he say?†Jackson sat up and pul ed her into his arms to steady her, careful to keep from rubbing his body against hers, afraid he might hurt her.
    El e frowned. “I was thinking about you. How safe you made me feel and then I couldn’t breathe and I heard him whispering in that voice—purring