Page 134 of Savage Promises

My head is spinning at what I’ve lost tonight. But I got my husband back.

WE BRIEFLY TOUR THEchaos that was my club with an ESU team. They do urban search and rescue in case anyone is hiding. Paramedics removed the bodies prior, but there’s blood everywhere. The scent of death lingers in the air and tears spill down my cheeks.

“It’s all gone.” I walk through the wreckage, my hands trembling.

Shane never lets me go. “I’ll fix it, I promise. I’ll fix us, too, if you let me.”

Seeing how upset I am looking at all the damage, Shane brings me back outside, away from Luxe’s shattered state. In front of the club, under the portico, my vision swims against the flashing red and blue lights. Cops are everywhere questioning survivors. I sit on the steps, wrapped in a blanket with Shane next to me, waiting for a police sergeant to take my statement.

There’s no getting around that.

Shane’s arms feel firm around my shoulders, anchoring me. He hasn’t stopped touching me since he found me.

After I’m cleared, I’m brought to the ambulance tocheck my face.

When the EMT tells me my heart rate is through the roof and that I’m running a fever, she stares at me and says, “Are you pregnant, honey?”

Swallowing, I glance at Shane and smile. “Yes, I am.”

His jaw drops. I figured he knew and only came to my rescue to protect his child. It’s clear he had no idea. He came here forme. Of all the people in my family who overlooked and underestimated me, Shane never did.

Even when he was supposed to marry Neve, I always saw how he wanted me.

“You’re pregnant?” Shane’s voice is raw, thick with emotion. “When were you going to tell me?”

I swallow, my fingers twisting into his sleeve. “I wasn’t sure. You said you cheated on me and asked for a divorce.”

Shane grips my chin and forces me to look at him.

“I never cheated on you,” he roughs out, his voice on the verge of cracking. “I thoughtyouwanted the divorce. Wanted a way out. I lied to give you that out.” With desperate blue eyes, he utters, “I love you, Lennox. I’vealwaysloved you.”

He didn’t cheat.

All this time, every breath I choked down, every night I stared at the ceiling trying not to cry was built on a lie he let me believe. I want to hit him. I want to kiss him. I want to crawl out of my skin because the ache I’ve been carrying wasn’t even real. But the pain? That was.

Looking at him, I know he’s been in pain, too. I saw it last week when he was on his knees, but I thought that was him just being selfish and lonely. His pride suffering.

“I didn’t want out,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “I never did.”

He exhales sharply, his thumb brushing away my tears. “I should’ve fought harder.”

I shake my head. “I should’ve trusted you.” My chest clenches with shame. “I let my family get inside my head. My father kept poisoning me, telling me I wasn’t good enough.”

“I want to kill your father for that alone.” He stares deep into my eyes. “But he’s missing, Lennox. Did you know that?”

Throat tight, I whisper, “No. Be he hinted he was about to run.”

The air stills around us. “What do you want me to do about your father, baby?” Shane asks me. “I can find him. Blade and Jettwillfind him. I’ll string him up and whip him myself for you.”

I swallow roughly, so much to deal with and take in. Garrett stepped up for Neve. Left New York to be with her. To watch out for her. He’s trying, in his own way. But my father? He fled not caring what happens to me.

I meet Shane’s gaze, my voice steady. “I don’t care what happens to my father.”

“Then we do nothing.” Shane exhales roughly. “Let him spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder waiting to see my eyes and my gun pointed at him.”

I nod then notice the coroner’s stretcher that carries the dead and baggedkyrewheeled past us.

“Griffin...” Shane gets his attention. “When they name a newkyre, we have to meet with him. Thishastoend. I can’t have the next leader come back for revenge.”

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