Page 35 of It Was Always You

“I assume you aren’t going to stop us from leaving? If so, consider your apology accepted and an invitation to discuss business and this mess at some point soon.” With a handshake, Logan steps aside so we can leave, but he stops me with a hand on my shoulder.

Gone is his neatly trimmed blonde hair, replaced by a wild mane of blood-speckled blonde hair escaping the tie he tried to contain it with.

“If I had known his next move was something so drastic, I would have done this sooner. I hope you can forgive me, Owen. Cora, if you need anything, please reach out.” With that, he lets us leave.

He’ll have his work cut out to reshape the Clan. But then again, he was always a tough bastard.

If anyone can do it, it’s him.

Text Chat

OWEN: Hey, we got Cora. Feel free to spread the word everyone’s okay.

ABIGAIL: Oh, thank fuck! How is she? Is she okay?

OWEN: She’s bruised, but other than that, she’s okay. Maybe give us a bit to see how she actually is before everyone tries visiting, yeah?

ABIGAIL: I’ll spread the word but don’t be surprised if you have all the wives blowing up your phone and leaving care packages anyway. She’s one of us now, Owen.

OWEN: I wouldn’t have it any other way

Text Chat

OWEN: Hey man, I appreciate your help last night. Is everything good on your end?

LOGAN: A few fires to put out, but I have a plan for those so it should be fine. Is Cora okay? Have you had her checked over by a doctor yet?

OWEN: She’s okay, going to get Doc up as soon as she wakes.

LOGAN: Good. Keep me updated, yeah?

LOGAN: Actually, you don’t happen to know what Jonathan’s stance would be on an arranged marriage, do you?

Chapter 29

Waking up in Owen’s arms, sunlight filtering in, feels too good to be true so I refuse to open my eyes, scared this is a dream. Terrified, I’m still in that cell. Heartsick that I won’t be able to save my baby.

“Baby, I know you’re awake. Open those pretty blues for me, please.” At the sound of his voice, something breaks inside me. I roll over so my head is buried in his chest and start sobbing.

He tightens his hold on me, rubbing circles on my back. I cry a little more for all that we nearly lost without him even knowing just how much was at risk.

“Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe now and I’m never going to let you out of my sight again, baby. Look at me, please.” He’s begging now, and as much as I don’t want to move from the warm, safe cage of his arms, I still tilt my head up enough to look at him.

His fear reflects mine. I just stare up at him as he examines every inch of my face. Fuck, I missed this. Missed being in his arms and knowing nothing could get to me here. Missed being able to just look at him and enjoy this feeling of home.

“My biggest regret when you were gone is that I never got the chance to tell you how much I love you. I’ve loved you in so many ways, for so long I forgot I’ve never had the privilege to love you out loud. When they took you, I realised I might never get to, and now that I have you back, I want to shout my love for you from the rooftops, but I’ll control myself for now.” He presses a kiss to my forehead, then each eyelid, and then my mouth.

Kissing him feels like coming home, the way we share each other’s breaths so seamlessly and the way we just fit perfectly. Like two halves of a whole. I pull away to say, “I love you too,

O. My love for you is the only thing that got me through that and the hope that one day I’d get to tell you.”

A few more gentle kisses later, there’s a knock on the door and in Jonathan walks with Doc hot on his heels. The man I first met and described as powerful looks like a shell of himself. From the haunted look in his eyes to baggy dark circles, it tells the story of a man who was determined to get me back no matter the cost.

“Hi sweetheart, I hope you don’t mind, but we figured we should get Doc to check you out sooner.” As much as I don’t want to part from Owen, a check-up is definitely high on the priority list, so with a nod, I let go of Owen so he can get out of the way and I sit up against the headboard.

“Before we start, there’s something I should probably mention first…” I trail off, nervously, before continuing, “There, a doctor ran some tests, and…well, I’m pregnant.”

Thick silence blankets us. With my heart in my throat, I look up to see Owen has dropped to his knees beside the bed. His head is buried in the duvet and his shoulders shake as sobs heave his body. Seeing someone who’s always been so strong break and knowing that what has happened is his worst fear makes me want to join him. Instead, I hesitantly run my hand through his hair.

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