Page 138 of Romancing His Heart
“Go home, Loki.”
The overhead lights flicker to life, and before my eyes can adjust, Loki is standing over me.
“Explain it to me. Explain exactly how you failed us,” he sneers.
“It was my intel. It was my information that caused you to let your guard down.” My voice is at its breaking point. The kick to the throat I received early on ensures my voice will never be what it once was.
“Your intel told us exactly what it was supposed to. When they left my house, they were headed to that plane. Don’t you dare let their moves discount how valuable your insight was. You can lay here and mope. I’ll let you wallow in the what-ifs until you’re stronger. But hear me now, none of this was your fault, and we will spend eternity bringing you back to life if that’s what it takes. Sylvie is coming to see you in one hour, and you will let her in. If I find out you pulled any bullshit, we will take shifts ensuring you never have a moment to yourself again until you’re out of this.”
I know he means it, so I just nod.
“I’ll be back in the morning, and Seth is coming in the afternoon. When the darkness comes, do what I do.”
“What’s that?” I ask because I need to know.
“Remember, there’s always someone ready to welcome you to the chaos.” Loki leans in and wraps me in a hug the Westbrooks are known for. I don’t have it in me to reciprocate, though. I lost my Westbrook mojo when I let those fuckers into our lives. “I’ll be back in the morning. Don’t fuck with Sylvie.”
I nod because words hurt too much. As soon as I can escape this prison, I will run until no one can find me. At least then, my actions won’t hurt anyone else.
Chapter 46
Loki
“What do you think of the title?” Sloane asks.
Turning my body toward hers, I catch the smile she saves just for me. We’re lying in bed in the condo that started it all, and she’s finally finished the rough draft of our story. After reading it, we realized there was no use denying it. This book is the story of how we fell in love.
“One Little Heartbreak,” I read aloud. “But we have a happily ever after?”
“True, but one little heartbreak is what gave me the kick in the ass to see through my shit. As much as it hurt, I’m stronger because of it.”
Taking the laptop from her hands, I place it on the nightstand. “I am so fucking sorry, Red. A piece of me died that day. I don’t think I’ll ever recover from seeing the hurt in your eyes when I pushed you away.”
“Loki, we’ve already talked about this. Can’t we just forget it ever happened?”
“No.”
“It’s okay. I promise, and we’re here now. That’s all that matters,” she tries again.
“No, that’s not all that matters.” I stare at her with such conviction that her body reacts as if I’ve touched her. “I will spend the rest of my life making up for it, Sloane. I promise you now, I will never hurt you like that again. From this day forward, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, I will spend my days loving you.”
“I think you’re supposed to save those for your wedding day.”
“Our wedding day, Red. Ours.”
I can’t take it. I pounce, and I’m straddling her a second later. Dragging her arms above her head, I lean in to nibble her neck. We’ve been home for a few weeks now, and her bruises are healing, but she’s still tender in places, and I’ve memorized every single one of them.
Gently grazing her ribcage, I hover over her most tender spots. Placing butterfly soft kisses where she hurts the most, I revel in the whimpers I elicit.
“I want to marry you, Red. I want to love you for the rest of my days, and I want to be the one to chase away your fears. I want to protect you, learn from you, encourage you, and watch you fly. I want to be your partner, Sloane. In life, in love, and everything in between. I love you more than I ever thought possible.”
Tears leak from the corner of her eyes as I stare at my future—a future that is full of love and family. It’s not something I ever thought I would have, but as I sit over her now, I have no doubt in my mind. My happily ever after has just begun.
* * *
“How long doyou have to wait to ask someone to marry you?”
Preston drops the box he was holding. “Ah, you’ve been home for less than a month, dude.”
