Page 103 of Adoring Delaney

“Yes, Carter, I’ll marry you.”

“Don’t say that. Not now.”

“Now’s the right time.”

“Not here, Delaney,” he snapped.

“Yes. Right here, right now. Come back to me, honey. Turn it off and come home to me.”

“Delaney.”

“I have to go to the hospital, honey.” I stepped closer to him, his eyes leaving mine to look at the blood I knew was still streaming down my face. I could taste the coppery liquid in my mouth. My hands rested on his chest and he tried to jerk back.

“Now’s not a good time to touch me, Laney.”

“I’m not scared of you, Carter. Switch it off, and take me to the hospital.”

The sirens were close and the lights to what looked like a hundred first responders filled my line of sight. I paid none of them any mind.

All I wanted was my Carter back. And I knew with great clarity if I didn’t get him back right now he’d pull away.

I saw.

I saw the man he’d tried to keep hidden.

And I finally understood how wrong he’d been. He thought I’d be horrified. I’d never been prouder. He thought I’d be scared. I’d never felt safer. He thought this side of him, my warrior, my hero, would make me turn my back on him.

Without care or concern for his own life, he’d protected me. Natalie was taking aim to kill one or both of us and he didn’t hesitate. I saw that, too.

“Carter, I wanna take that test now, but I can’t unless you’re with me. Let’s go to the hospital and see if we’re having a baby.”

Finally his eyes flashed and the storm that was raging inside them settled.

“Fuck!” he roared. “Christ, Laney.” My name was ripped from his throat and it sounded painful.

One hand went to my face and he pushed my hair away from the gash at my temple, taking a long hard look at it before he gathered me into his arms and shoved his face into my neck.

And for the second time, my big, strong man broke. I waited for him to catch his breath and when he was ready he lifted his head and asked, “You hurt anywhere else?”

I wanted to laugh at his belated question but instead answered, “No.”

“Proud of you, Laney.”

“I didn’t—”

“You did. You were handling business like a UFC fighter. And one day I may be able to joke about you being a mixed martial arts champion the way you were cleaning that bitch’s clock, but it may be a while. In the meantime, just know I’m damn proud of what a strong woman you are.”

“The paramedics are ready to take her,” Lenox said.

“I’m not leaving her side.”

“Nick already cleared it; a uniform will follow you there for questioning. Jasper’s going with you.”

I looked up at Lenox, a man I’d once called my uncle, but would soon call father-in-law, and much like his son, his face was marred with fear and anger.

“Lenox?”

“Right here, Laney.”

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