Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
His words send a jolt through me, breaking through the tension that’s ravaged me throughout the night. Quieting that shrill sound from the gunshot.
He takes my hand, caressing gently. “I wasn’t even sure I’d know what it would feel like, but when I took that bullet, I knew it with every fiber of my being.”
There’s a part of me that can’t believe this, given everything he told me, but when I look into his eyes, I feel the truth of his words. I also know him well enough to know he’d never lie about something like this, certainly not to make me feel better.
Still, I fear I’m about to wake up in the waiting room and discover this was all a fucked-up dream.
“You’re mine, Logan Lorde,” he says softly, like it’s all the strength he has left to speak.
I move close and take his mouth, and his arm wraps around me as he draws me close.
All our kisses have been hot, but this one is more meaningful, and I embrace it with all my might.
Because I’m never letting my husband go. Not if I can fucking help it.
36
KILLIAN
“Just be careful,” Logan says.
“I’ll be fine.”
Jesus, how many times have I told him that the past few days?
I had to stay in the Center through Tuesday before I was discharged. Jaime, who walked away with a cast on his arm—nothing that hasn’t happened before—returned to Rothguard the next day. Meanwhile, Clara, whose injury was more severe, was released to Recourse a day before I was let out, like it was something she had to win, much like her issues with Ian and my father.
Doc said I’m supposed to take short walks to keep my blood circulating. It’ll help the injury heal, but it stresses Logan out, the way he guards me like my personal watchdog. If I’m being honest, though, I like it.
As I roll out of bed, he asks, “Do you need me to help you?”
“I haven’t needed you the past three times this morning, so why do you think I’d need you on this one?”
“You keep giving me that attitude, and I might help you to the floor.”
I shoot him a look over my shoulder, and his cute smirk shifts into a full-on grin.
I plant my feet on the floor, and Logan says, “You did that so good. You’re so brave,” in the most patronizing tone. Undoubtedly, this is his revenge for my stubbornness.
“Are you practicing being obnoxious for when we’re old and gray?” I tease, though the past week has made me think about how much I want to grow old and gray with this man who opened my heart and soul in a way I never could have expected. We were fire and kerosene coming together; now we’re one magnificent explosion, our souls intertwined in a searing bliss.
“Oh, are you young all of a sudden?” he jibes. “Besides, you really didn’t think I’d be a bit of an obnoxious husband?”
“Eh, I had some indications.”
Logan rolls his eyes, looking as adorable as ever, and even the thought of him nagging me for the rest of my life feels like a gift. According to my MRI, had the bullet been a few millimeters to the left, it would have nailed an artery, and I wouldn’t have made it out of the house, let alone to the Center for treatment. But despite what a literal pain in the chest it’s been, I don’t love having Logan waiting on me hand and foot. Tending to my every need. Reminding me why it was so easy to fall in love with him.
“You mind if we visit the greenhouse?” I ask. His shoulders tense, so I try to reassure him. “If it’s too much for me, we’ll come back.” It’s been more than I could handle on our attempts so far, but I have a good feeling about today. “And we can take the elevator.”
I rarely use it, but since I want to do more than pace up and down this hall, it’s the best way to get around the house.
Logan reluctantly consents, and we start on our journey. On our way through the house, I ask, “Where is everyone today? Seems unusually quiet.”
“Rage had to deal with another distribution, and obviously he’s not planning on being short-staffed again. Wrath is finalizing details on our deal with the Raiders. Masters is catching up on bookkeeping. And Malaki and Rory returned to school yesterday, so it’s just the two of us, aside from staff and security.”
Minus Jaime, who was rewarded with a few weeks of time off, to allow him to fully recover physically and mentally.
“Just the two of us, huh? Maybe it’s about time I have my way with my husband.” I sneak him a look, and his cheeks pinken. “I still need to force you to submit to me.” I can’t help but laugh at that.