Page 155 of Endgame

“I heard you,” I screamed. “Talking to her! Telling her you still love her.”

His nostrils flared and he shook his head in denial. “I didn’t say that, Six.”

“Yes, you did.” I was crying now; hard, ugly crying and I didn’t give a shit. “The boy in me will always love you.” I mimicked his voice and then released a scream. “I’min love with you, Rourke. Me!” Hiccupping violently, I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand before sobbing. “You made me love you. The only one I’ve ever given that kind of power to, and it was a goddamn lie because you’ll always loveher!”

“No! I don’t love Britt. Not like that.” His jaw ticked when he said, “Not likeyou. Christ, I loveyou, Six.”

“Stop.” I shook my head, denying it. “No, you don’t.” This was pity. It wasn’t real.

“I love you,” he snarled. “Goddammit, I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it, Six.”

“Exactly,” I sobbed. “Which means you meant it when you said it tonight – to Britt.”

“You think what I felt for her when I was a child compares to what I feel for you now?” Rourke exclaimed as he ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. “Are you fucking insane? I am so in love with you, Six, that I’m practically drowning!”

“Rourke,” I whispered, unsure of what to say. My heart was hammering so hard in my chest, I was afraid I was about to pass out. The emotions coursing through me were overwhelming and Rourke’s declaration waskillingme.

When I remained quiet, Rourke continued to speak. “I am trying here, Six,” he declared, tone gruff and hoarse. “To make it up to you. To show you how sorry I am for being an absolute prick when we first met. Fuck, I am trying harder with you than I’ve tried with anyone in my whole damn life.” Releasing a weary sigh, he walked over to where I was sitting and sank down beside me. “You are all I want, Mercedes James.” He shook his head before adding, “There isno oneelse. I’m not looking. I’m not fucking interested. Ionlyseeyou. Get that through your stubborn, beautiful fucking head.”

What could I say to that?

What the freaking hell could I say?

Absolutely nothing.

So instead, I broke down and cried.

Immediately, Rourke’s arms came around me and I was in his lap, being held to his chest as he rocked me.

I must have cried for at least ten minutes before whispering, “I’m in love with you, too.”

“I know, Six.” Rourke’s arms tightened around my body and he kissed the top of my head. “I know, baby.”

“And it terrifies me,” I added, my voice a broken sob. “I think I’m losing myself in your world, Rourke, and it scares me half to death.” Sniffling, I buried my face in his chest. “I didn’t want this either, you know. I had a plan for my life. A carefully structured, three-point plan. But you? You complicated my plan. You changedeverything.

Rourke took a moment before saying, “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Itisa bad thing,” I admitted, clinging to his body. “Because when you leave, what will I have left? Nothing…”

“I’m not leaving.”

“Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep.”

“Oh, I intend on keeping this promise,” he growled. “I’ll be there, Six. I will fucking be there for you.”

“But you’re…” I clenched my eyes shut and forced out the words, “so wary of commitment. And in the beginning, were always talking about us beingtemporary.” Ugh. Ihatedthat word.

“I was never afraid of commitment, Six. I was afraid of committing to thewrongperson.” He sounded so sincere that I tipped my face up to look at him, the urge to see his eyes overwhelming. “I was afraid of committing myself to someone who saw me as disposable,” he added, eyes locked on mine. “She broke me, Six. Left cuts in me so deep I wasn’t sure I would ever fully recover. But I did,” he added with a smile. “And I’m here, fucking crazy in love with you. You asked me once what my endgame was.” Pausing, he added, “I wasn’t ready to answer that question then, but I am now.”

“Rourke–”

“Ask me the question, Six.”

“What’s your endgame, Rourke?”

“You,” Rourke replied without a hint of doubt or hesitation. “You are my endgame, Six.” And then he kissed me. A kiss so deep, so full of love and emotion, that I swear I melted in his arms.

I was his endgame.

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