HeroRevealed Read Online Free PDF Page B

light one second, then blended with the earth
the next. Another rock was removed, revealing a pair of pale-green eyes that
peered at her from the shadows.
    Kristos.
    “What do you…” Any reprimand she might have said died on her
lips as she stared in shock at the impossible speed he used to remove debris.
    “Sheriff, are you all right?” he asked, not even sounding
winded.
    She nodded then realized he probably couldn’t see her. “I’m
okay.”
    He pushed aside a boulder that should have taken a crane to
lift. The grinding screech of rock on rock sent a shiver so cold down her spine
she felt it in her teeth.
    “You amaze me, Sheriff,” he said, breaking through her
stupefaction. “How you came down here without a moment’s hesitation. That was
very brave.”
    “It’s my job. What’s your excuse?”
    The cowl obscured most of his face, except for his eyes and
the opening that framed his sinful smile. “My job.”
    “Which is what?”
    “Protecting you.”
    “I never asked you to.”
    “I know. That’s why I do it. I will always protect you.
Until my last dying breath.”
    She shook her head in confusion. His loyalty didn’t make
sense. They’d never been on a date, she refused him at every turn, they were
practically strangers. His devotion was complete and utter madness. “Why?”
    He paused, mid-crouch with muscles tense, and pinned her
with an unflinching gaze, which left her feeling as if she were on a crazy
roller coaster that was both thrilling and terrifying. “Because I think of you
as mine, Brett. That fire, that passion you try to hide is a rare and beautiful
thing. You are the sun that warms the cold loneliness of my days. You are mine,
even though you push me away and won’t let me love you, you are still mine. And
if all I am able to do is protect you, then I will.”
    A tight band squeezed around her chest as she realized he
meant every word. His interference had never been an issue about her ability or
skill. He only wanted to care for her, any way he could.
    Well, mother fucker. Her throat tightened as she fought to
think. This adoration was a gift she had no idea what to make of. She was the
rock, the dependable one who took care of everyone and everything. It was
never, “How can I help you, Brett?” but, “Brett, please help me.” To have
someone do for her while knowing she wouldn’t reciprocate was unexpected and
left her at a complete loss.
    She couldn’t accept such an extravagant gift. His life
wasn’t worth her safety and she lived in constant danger. Could Kristos respect
her position, or would he try to make her give up all she worked for to spend
every night in his arms?
    That doesn’t sound so terrible ,whispered her
heart.
    “It’s time to go, Sheriff. Ready?”
    She wet her lips. Was she? “Yeah.”
    His jaw went rigid as he clenched his teeth and pushed with
his arms and legs. Ever so slowly the gap widened until she was able to squeeze
between his hard body and the wall.
    Halfway through, she was jerked to a halt as her belt buckle
caught on the knot of fabric that circled his waist. Wedging her fingers in the
nonexistent gap, she pulled and jerked at the fabric that refused to tear away.
    “Hurry,” Kristos hissed.
    “I’m trying.” She tugged harder. “I’m stuck.”
    “Holy Father,” he groaned.
    Brett glanced up and gasped at the lines of strain around
his mouth and the amount of sweat trickling from under the cowl into his eyes
that narrowed with pain. His body vibrated against her like a V-8 engine in
need of a tune up and his arms trembled under the strain.
    “I almost got it.”
    The metal snapped and she stumbled free, crashing into a
pile of dirt. With a groan deep from his stomach, Kristos dropped the one-ton
stone. The sides of the tunnel rumbled and quaked and dirt fell down on them
like rain as the walls collapsed inward.
    Before she could draw a breath, strong hands grasped her
waist and tossed her high into the air and out of the