Chapter 44

"It isn't you. It isn't you at all," I said, my attention drifting to the manilla folder. I played with the corner of it, trying to do anything to distract me, something to keep the urge to tell him I'll stay with him at bay. "It's all this," I took the folder in hand, shaking it to try and get my point across. "Your life is full of danger and responsibilities that I know will be pushed onto me if I have anything to do with you. I can't do that to myself— to my family. They need me and I need them, and I won't be able to live peacefully if I have to watch their backs along with mine every second— if I can't even stop to say hello to them because I'll be so busy with responsibilities that I know I won't be able to handle." His next words were said without any hesitation and it scared me. He took the folder out of my hand and dropped it onto the floor, the contents of it sliding out of place. That forced me to look up at his sparkling grey eyes. They were so full of emotion,