Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 195

Wash Everything Away

The kitchen is quiet except for the soft clinking of a spoon against ceramic as Nikki stirs a cup of tea.

My stomach turns to the point of pain and I pick at my nails, too nervous to sit down.

Nikki's wide, guilt-ridden eyes meet mine for what feels like the hundredth time, her lips parting as she whispers, "I'm so sorry, Alina. We should have never gone out."

I shake my head, exhaustion pressing down on me like a weight. "Don't say that. It's not your fault. I was having fun"

I try to smile, but I'm sure it comes out broken and horrible.

"Baby, it's not your fault," Parker interjects, his voice edged with barely contained anger. "That fucker - Mr. Admas is a pervert."

Nikki lets out a shaky breath, turning her attention back to the tea as she busies herself searching through the cabinets for honey. I glance toward the stairs, knowing that Jake is asleep, and I don't want to wake him up.

I chew my lip, my pulse still unsteady, but before I can even begin to process my next thought, the front door opens.

The moment I see Zaid, I move on instinct.

I don't even think. My feet carry me forward before I can breathe, before I can do anything else.

Zaid looks tired, disheveled, his dark hair a mess, his jaw tight with anger and disgust, Aiden right at his heels. But I don't care about anything else except that he's here. I throw myself into his arms, my fingers clutching onto his shirt as I bury myself against him, my breath shaky.

"What happened? Are you okay?" My voice comes out more frantic than I intend, but I can't help it. I'm shaking, the adrenaline still running through me.

He pulls back slightly, frowning down at me. His hands cup my face and his warmth brings me peace. “I should be asking you that.”

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Wash Berything Away

I swallow, my emotions still on edge, and before I can say anything else, he leads me back into the kitchen. Nikki wordlessly hands me the tea she had just made, and I take it gratefully, murmuring, "Thank you."

like she hopes I don't

for bringing me

still holding

and I shake my head. "It's nothing

"Do you guys need

his head, clapping him on the shoulder. "No, man. Thanks

the front door closes behind them, Zaid finally speaks. "What do you need?" My throat tightens. My hands tremble as I hold the warm mug between them, but the tea does nothing to chase away the

a shower.

me to his room. He takes the tea from my hands, setting it on

walks me into the bathroom, his fingers gentle as he helps me

of me, his fingers hesitant. He doesn't really touch me unless

into him.

I close my eyes, taking his hands and placing them on me. He slides them over my skin,

for more, doesn't ask for anything. He's just there, quiet. When

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Wash Everything Away

off, leads me to the

covers.

But I can't sleep.

on my side, staring at him. His eyes are already open, watching me in the dim

the way his throat moves when he swallows, his fingers tracing small, absentminded circles on my waist. "The cops got

breath shallows.

you to go to the station tomorrow. To give a statement. And... if you want to press

down my arms, grounding me, his

"What do

flinches, a grimace tugging at his features. He looks away for a long

slightly on my arm as if he's

quiet I almost don't hear it, he whispers, "Because I know

My breath catches.

bobbing as he swallows hard. When he finally meets my gaze, there's raw, unspoken