Page 24 of The #2 Guy

“If the prince truly forgives his princess.”

“I forgave you before you were even born.”

“John.”

“Baby…”

“Love me, but more importantly,trust me.”

My heart is at the edge of the abyss again. I lean my forehead against hers. “I can’t survive another crash and burn. And I’m still mad as hell at you.”

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I was just on cloud nine… laying in your arms while thinking about a future we could have—the guilt that my brother thought I was dead… I just thought it was one thing I could fix.Immediately. Are you going to answer me or leave your princess hanging?”

“I’ll marry you. Right after I spank this ass raw, put a baby in you and mark you with my teeth.”

Her lips part. Her lashes blink nervously. The pupils of her eyes dilate. That’s right baby. I might have forgiven you but that doesn’t mean I won’t punish you for all the heartaches I’ve endured. Despite my raw words, I gingerly kiss her injured wrist. “I love you for doing this for me. When I saw you like some kind of badass avenging angel, I knew what I felt last night was real. I’m yours to have and to hold forever, baby. But first, I’m gonna blow your mind, taking it off the pain.”

After I gingerly towel dry her, I take her to bed. “Johnny…, how do you have so much stamina?”

“I laid it down good on you. Didn’t I?” I smirk against her neck. “I’ve been in a dry spell, wishing for you…”

“Even though—?”

“Yes.” I confess, “My ‘Big John’ was lonely and only wanted one woman.”

She smiles, snuggling against me. “We can’t sleep. You can’t with your concussion.”

“That’s okay. We’ll make a fire, down all of Rog’s stash of Wild Turkey and talk like we used to… plan our future.”

“I’ll grab the booze, you make the fire.”

“Rog texted, by the way. He’s blindfolding a doctor and bringing him by in a bit to look at your wrist and bring us some drugs.”

“You’re my drug.”

“And you’re mine, baby.” I swat her rump as I help her into a pair of lounge pants I found in one of the drawers. “It was hot as fuck watching you take out that crew.”

“My field training was tight.”

“Yeah, I get that.”

“Actually, I’ve been thinking… what was all that about anyway.”

“The Chinese mob was hunting on our turf.”

“Hunting what?”

“People to traffic.”

“Roque and I partnered with Creed MC a while back. We shut that shit down. But they tried again. We set two hundred women and children free from a wharf in Cali. They wanted payback. Rog is retired Creed. They came after him thinking we had stashed some of their merc in his basement.”

She shudders. “It could have been me. If Johnny hadn’t come, they would have taken me. I want in. I have skills… you can shut it down with my help.”

“No. I won’t have you near danger. You’re my woman to protect not put in the crossfire.”

“I have connections…”

“Old ones. Besides, if the Feds could shut it down, they would’ve by now.”

“You’re probably right.”

“I know I am. Come on, I’m starving. Rog must have food somewhere.”

“I love you John.”

“I love you too, my resurrected princess.”

“Forever?”

“And one day.”

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