Page 107 of Wild Blades

“You have to. I will not stand back and let you undo everything we are working toward.”

If I punch him, I’d lose her. I would lose everything. She’s got me by the balls.

“I don’t want you to go anywhere. I like you.”

“Like me?” I plaster a smile across my face.

“Yes,likeyou, like you.”

Her eyes are uncertain, so I reassure her. “I won’t touch him.” I don’t mention I could pay someone to do it for me.

“You swear?”

“Promise.” I kiss her doubts away because I want to prove to this beautiful goddess of a woman that I am capable of doing as I am told.

Sometimes.

And I want to be better. For her.

I want to be the man she deserves.

I’m not yet, but I will get there, even if it kills me.

“You should see a doctor today.” I want to make sure there are no long-term effects on her windpipe.

“I’m fine. I just need to rest. And painkillers.”

I take this opportunity to ask her something I’m not sure she’s ready for, or me, for that matter. “Depending on how you feel, would you like to come for a drive with me today?” I don’t have a game until tomorrow afternoon.

“To where?”

“Gretchen’s house. It’s two hours away.” I’m dreading the visit. “At yesterday’s joint session with Thomas and Joe, they asked if I would consider going back to the house.” They suggested using exposure therapy to overcome my post-traumatic stress from finding Gretchen there will help me move forward. “I need to face my fear of going back there.” I may not even make it inside the house, but I’m going to try. “All being well, we could maybe stay over. There’s a wooden deck along the front of the place, with a boardwalk that takes you down to the creek. You can sit and read a book, or?—”

“Yes.” She pauses for a breath, then says, “I would love to come with you.”

“I can’t make any promises.” I might panic at the first sight of the drive.

“I’ll be there. You’ll be fine. You’ve got this.”

I’ve got her, and that’s all I want. I’m already in so deep.

The shrill ring of the doorbell breaks our moment. “That will be Lola.” I smile, then kiss her forehead. “You don’t have to see her.” My eyes drop to her bruises.

“I have nothing to be ashamed of.” Straightening her spine, she looks like a fierce warrior when I know she’s in pain. Accustomed to being what people want her to be, she doesn’t do that around me, which I love.

Who am I kidding? I love everything about her.

Like.

Just like.

Not love.

It’s way too soon for that.

Isn’t it?

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

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