Page 161 of Colt

She laughed. “Okay, big boy. Take me to bed.”

We all said our goodbyes, watching as Kit walked off with his woman in his arms.

Colt stood and held his hand out to me. “Come on, Princess. We got a lotta shit to discuss and we gotta be up early in the morning. We need to get some shut-eye.”

Placing my hand in his, he gently pulled me to my feet and locked eyes with me. “You ready to do this?” he asked.

I jerked one nod. “Yeah, Colter. I’m ready.”

Turning, I gave Cara a tight hug, pulling back to murmur, “See you in the morning.”

Cash smiled down at me and opened his arm for me to walk into. “You’ll be okay, pretty girl,” he whispered in my ear as I squeezed him. “I’ll look after your man.”

I looked up into the same golden eyes I saw every day in the mirror. “I love you, Xan.”

He dropped a kiss on my head. “Love you too, Sis.”

I pulled back and turned for the corridor to Colt’s room while he gave Cash a clap on the shoulder and Cara a kiss on the cheek. His fingertips grazed the small of my back, guiding me down the hall in silence.

My nerves jangled with each step, the knowledge of what lay ahead bearing down on my shoulders. I didn’t quite know what to expect, which made everything seem more ominous.

Colt’s hand pressed more firmly as if sensing my unease.

I glanced up at him, but his stare remained fixed ahead, his stubbled jaw clenched tight. He seemed as on edge as I was.

Colt pulled his keys out of his pocket as we approached his room. After a few seconds, he pushed the door open and gestured for me to go inside.

I stood awkwardly, wrapping my arms around myself as Colt flicked on the lamp sitting on his nightstand. The warm light sent a muted beam through the room, making the shadows dance.

Colt grabbed my hand and led me toward the bed. “Get in,” he ordered gently, leaning down, and pulling the comforter back. “You’re freezing.”

I kicked my shoes off and sank into the bed, breathing in the familiar scent of Creed and watching as Colt took off his cut and laid it carefully over the back of a chair before getting into bed next to me. I shifted until I was laid on my side, so we faced each other.

“I’m scared,” I murmured.

“It’s gonna be okay,” he assured me, pushing my hair back from my face. “Whatever happens we’ll be together, Frey.”

“Where are we gonna go?” I asked quietly.

“Maybe we could take a vacation?” he suggested. “I’ve always wanted to go to Bora Bora. Stay in one of those huts on stilts in the sea. We can regroup while we’re there and decide where we wanna move to. I’m thinkin’ Virginia initially, while I get my assignment sorted and we can take it from there.”

I smiled because he’d obviously thought about it. “Sounds amazing.”

His hand caught mine. “We’re gonna be okay. We just need to get tomorrow outta the way.”

“Yeah,” I said sleepily, my eyes drooping.

His hand gently swiped a lock of hair out of my eyes. “Go to sleep, baby. I’ll wake you up early.”

I nodded, so physically and mentally exhausted that I was already falling asleep. The bed moved and I heard Colt’s zipper and the rustle of his jeans before he gently undid my skirt and top and slid them off, leaving me in just my panties.

“Goodnight, baby,” he whispered, kissing my forehead.

But I didn’t reply, I was already dropping off to sleep, my exhausted mind wondering what the hell tomorrow would bring.

A loud banging sound pulled me out of my deep sleep.

Colt let out a groan, his warm body stirring beside me.

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