Jen_C’s Reviews > Innocent Target > Status Update

After seeing her with a weapon to her head like that… Hell, he wasn’t sure he’d get over that anytime soon. Or ever. She looked over at him as he approached and the smile she gave him was blinding. He really wasn’t certain what he’d done to deserve her, but he was never, ever letting her go.

Saying the word boyfriend felt kind of weird but she and Axel were exclusive so she guessed that was what they were. Right? She really needed to clarify that with him. Though the man had said he wanted to move to Redemption Harbor for her and give up his life as a hit man. So maybe she didn’t need to clarify.

“So listen,” Axel said, feeling out of his depth. “I’m really into you.” God, he felt like an idiot saying it like this. What the hell was he trying to say anyway? It looked as if she was about to respond when her dad stepped into the kitchen.

She stood next to him, her fingers loosely linked between his, clearly making a statement to everyone in the room. He might not deserve her, but he certainly wasn’t going to walk away from her. Not ever. Unless she told him to.

I know you’re dealing with other stuff too. Like being attacked at your school. When I saw him hurt you, I lost it,” he whispered. He reached up slowly, giving her time to push his hand away, and gently stroked a thumb over her throat, where her attacker had hurt her. His touch was feather soft.

There was a lot he wanted to say to Hadley, but now wasn’t the time. Still, he couldn’t leave without saying something. “What I feel for you is real. I never meant to hurt you,” he said quietly. Surprising him, Hadley reached out and squeezed his hand once. Her expression was guarded but at least she didn’t seem to hate him. A small victory.

Relief bled into his gaze before he bent his head, brushing his lips over hers. She felt the kiss all the way to her core as butterflies exploded inside her. Man, a simple kiss and her knees were weak. This man had completely gotten under her skin.

He was dangerous, but not to her. Never to her. But no way in hell could she know that. Not when they’d just met. It eased some of the tension inside him. Damn it, he just needed to tell her what was going on, except…how did he tell her that someone had put out a contract on her head and wanted her kidnapped, without sounding crazy? Or admitting what he did for a living.

Tears stung her eyes as she struggled and thrashed, even as he tightened his grip on her throat. Everything was getting fuzzy, and in the back of her mind she knew that she was going to pass out soon. She tried to scream but nothing would come out as he kept up the pressure on her windpipe.