Free Ultimate Kill (Book 1 Ultimate CORE Trilogy) (CORE Series) by Kristine Mason Page B

contacted her, showed up at both funerals and had made it crystal clear that if she didn’t come to him, everyone she loved would end up like her parents. Dead.  
    “Yes,” she said on a sob, resenting Jake for reopening old wounds, the past, her mistakes, her regrets and guilt. “They knew, but died before I went through the process. Satisfied?”
    Jake tried to reign in his hatred and rage for the asshole who had forced Naomi to change her identity and life. He pulled her closer and caught one of her tears with his thumb. “No.” God, he was a dick. He hated himself for making her cry, but he’d come here to put the past to rest and had needed answers. He’d spent three years loving a woman who had been nothing but a lie, and then the next five years pining over her.  
    She jerked her head away and her arm free. “Too bad. If you’re looking for an apology, then I’m sorry I lied to you about my name. I’m sorry for a lot of things. But enough. I’ve answered your questions, hopefully soothed your ego and—”
    He crowded her against the counter, her earthy, flowery scent invading his senses and bringing back memories of last night, of the many nights he’d spent loving her body. “I’m not gonna lie. I was pissed you didn’t trust me enough to tell me the truth about your past. But my ego has nothing to do with it.”  
    “Now who’s throwing out a line of bullshit?”
    “Damn it, Naomi, I loved you. I wanted to marry you, grow old together and make a bunch of kids. And that’s no bullshit.” When more tears spilled down her cheek, he pushed away and turned his back on her. He didn’t want to see her cry, didn’t want to be the cause, but she had to understand. “Turn it around. How would you feel in my position? Wouldn’t you want to know?”
    He flinched when her hand touched his shoulder. “Yes,” she said, her voice raw, pained. “I would. But now that you do, what’s next?”
    Running a hand through his hair, he shook his head while trying to come up with an answer. “Is this stalker the reason you left me?” he asked instead, hoping that was the case. Leaving him out of fear, he could handle. But if she’d left because of him, because she’d no longer loved or wanted to be with him…yeah, that would definitely be a blow to his ego.
    “Please look at me,” she said.  
    When he turned and caught the pain, misery and love in her eyes, he wanted to forget the entire conversation and haul her against his chest. Hold her, kiss her, give her comfort. “You don’t have to answer me.” He touched her tearstained cheek. “I’m sorry I put you through this. I’ll leave if that’s what you want.”  
    Her lush lips tilted in a small smile. “I don’t want you to go. And you’re right. If our circumstances were turned around, I would want to know, too.” She stepped closer, her breasts brushing his chest. “Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But I had no choice. He didn’t give me any. I worried about him coming after me and you, so—”
    “You left,” he said, the wasted years suddenly weighing heavily on his shoulders. All because of one man, and Naomi’s fear of him, they’d lost five years…their future.  
    “I’m sorry, Jake.” Her chin trembled and her eyes watered. “I loved you so much, I couldn’t bear to let anything happen to you. I worried if I told you about him, you’d get all macho and badass on me and go after him.”
    He cupped her face. “I’m a big boy.”
    Her grin filled his palms. “I remember how big you are.”
    Half chuckling, he shook his head. She always had a way of trying to lighten the tension. And he was wound tight, filled with anger and bloodlust. He wanted her stalker dead and he’d find a way to make it happen. Fuck Ian’s cold case. He’d just given himself a new assignment. “Tell me who he is and I’ll put a stop—”
    She kissed him hard and quick. Resting her forehead against his chest, she