Page 15 of Tattletale

“Lance—”

“Remember what you told me nine years ago? I’d just joined PALADIN and knew you for barely a week when I asked you out.” He weaves his fingers between mine, still gripping my hand tightly.

I hold his gaze, trying to keep my hand steady. “I told you…” I wet my lips, trailing off.

“Go ahead,” he encourages. “I know you remember. Told me what?”

“I told you that we were—”

“Endgame,” he finishes for me. “That I couldn’t touch you until I was ready for my last.”

I shake my head. “We were teenagers. I didn’t know what I was saying. It was just…” I trail off, not knowing how to finish that sentence.

I can’t say it was untrue. They weren’t just words. I meant it. When Lance was ready to fall in love, I knew I’d fall right back. Probably even harder. That’s what happens when you meet your twin flame. Only one of you needs a tiny spark for you both to catch fire.

He nods before bringing the back of my hand to his lips. “I’m ready.”

“For what?” I ask.

“I started thinking about it when Linc found Eden. His whole perspective changed. He was suddenly happy, or as happy as that grumpy brute can be. It’s like he finally had something to live for. His days were less dreary. I never felt that way after joining the team. I love my life with PALADIN. The sun shines every day for me…but it suddenly dawned on me it wasn’t because I had PALADIN.” He runs his thumb against my cheek. “All this time, I had you. It took a purple love spell drink laced with Romani drugs, but I get it now.”

“Huh?”I squint at him.

“Nothing. Never mind, the point is… Cricket, I love you. I always have.”

My bottom lip starts quivering, so I have to clamp my mouth shut to compose myself. After a deep breath, I grumble out loud, “What the hell, Lance? Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?”

His eyes pop open wide. “What did I do?”

“You crossed the line. Everything’s changed. You saidyou love me. We can’t go back now.”

“Good. I have no intention of going back.”

I stand there looking stupid, my jaw dropped like I’m incredulous. Yet, I’m still holding his hand. I’m squeezing even tighter, actually.

“How do you feel?” he finally asks.

“Like you’re fucking crazy.”

He scowls until he sees me chuckling. “So, I tell you I love you, and you respond with ‘you’re fucking crazy.’ Lovely. We need to work on your pillow talk.”

“All this time together, and you choose now?Here?Like this?I’m covered in blood, and we have an audience.” I nod over my shoulder at Rossi.

He shrugs. “When you know, you know. Patience isn’t my strong suit.”

I exhale as my thoughts flurry around in my head.What does this mean? Where do we go from here?I want to ask all the questions, but instead the only thing that pops out is, “Say it again.”

“I love you, Cricket.” He happily complies.

But I shake my head. “Say it again…using my real name.”

Lance closes what little space is left between us and presses his lips against my forehead. “I love you, Fiona O’Leary.” He smirks. “Wait, I can do it again in an Irish accent if you’dlike?” He clears his throat, preparing to do what I’m sure is a horrendous impression of my people. I hold up my palm.

“Please don’t ruin this.” I try to look annoyed, but I can’t help but laugh, feeling full and warm and breathing out in relief. For a while, I doubted it. I didn’t think love existed for a woman like me. I may have an appealing exterior, but my soul is twisted and scarred. The anger that still brews has poisoned my insides. My body is numb, but my heart is still so tender. Sex is just an act. But love?...

That’s a different game. Am I still worthy of love?

Apparently, Lance thinks so. He knows me better than anyone—all the dark, twisty pieces. And he still loves me…

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