Page 114 of Nanny for the SEAL

Not bothering to look for an umbrella, I snag my keys from the catch-all dish and run to my car next door. The rain soaks through my clothes quickly, and I throw my car door open, tossing my bag onto the passenger seat.

I slide in, flicking my wet hair out of my face, and start the car. The engine doesn’t so much roar to life as finally turn over, and I look up into the rearview mirror to back out of my driveway.

The gravel crunches under the tires as I reverse down the uneven, crappy drive that was still on my list of things to fix.

But I don’t make it to the road. A pair of headlights shine behind me in the drive, and my stomach drops.

Is it Xaden…or my father?

Either way, I’m forced to stop, putting the car in park. I sit there, watching through the mirror, and then Xaden gets out of the car and rushes up to my door.

I’m shaking my head when he pounds on the window. “Ivy! Come on! Talk to me!”

All I can do is cry, and I think about throwing the car into reverse again and trying to maneuver around his vehicle.

There’s no room for that, and when Xaden doesn’t give up, I’m forced from the car, guilt and pain making me get out.

I still don’t want to face him, though.

“Ivy, where are you going?” He shakes his head, standing there in the pouring rain with me and grabbing my shoulders.

“I can’t do this. I can’t…you’ll get hurt. He nearly killed…what about Daisy?!”

I can’t meet Xaden’s eyes, but he takes my chin and forces my face up. “Hey. Look at me.”

I’m frozen. What is my life? How can I risk them like this?

“Look at me!”

Jumping, I stare up into Xaden’s eyes, the rain mingling with the tears that stream down my face.

“You cannot leave. Your father has been arrested. It’s going to be okay.” He’s holding me so tightly, and I can feel the warmth of his skin contrast with the freezing rain that drenches me. “Don’t fucking leave, Ivy.”

I’m shaking, cold and panic and fear holding me tighter than Xaden, and I shake my head.

“He’ll get out! He’s gotten out before!” I’m trembling, my teeth clacking together so that my words are mumbled. “I can’t let you get hurt!”

“We do this together, Ivy!” Our voices are still muffled against the pouring rain, and thunder booms once more. “He is going to jail, and we’re going to make sure he stays there. Okay?”

My shoulders slump. I want to be safe. I want to believe him. But I’m so damned terrified.

“You can’t go. You can’t. I wouldn’t survive it, Ivy.” It’s impossible to tell in the storm, but instinct says that Xaden is crying. “You have healed me. I’m a better person because of you, able to deal with my fucking trauma and be there for Daisy.”

“Xaden, I…”

“You know it, Ivy. And you’ve been a mother to Daisy. She loves you as much as I do. You can’t leave us.”

Xaden gets down on his knees, putting a hand over my lower belly.

“You’re carrying my child, and all I want in the entire world is to be a family with you. I love you, Ivy. I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you, and I’m not letting you go. You belong with me. You can’t run anymore. I promised to be by your side, and I have been. I am. Please, Ivy. Stay."

I can’t stop shaking, but I also can’t look away from Xaden’s eyes. They’re all I want to look into for the rest of my life.

“I’m so scared, Xaden.”

“I know, baby. But I’m here. Wecando this—together.”

I crumble to my knees, wrapping my arms around him. “Okay.”

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