“Of course it has.” Freddy just smiled. “That was never an issue.”
She sucked in a breath. Would Connor be able to leave it there? Would he w
ant to know every detail? Freddy would never tell him. There was an unspoken “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule. This was life in her family. Could he handle that?
“All right then. As long as she is safe.”
Freddy looked him over. “She is. I still haven’t completely decided that you deserve her, but I’m willing to give you a chance. If she will.”
Connor nodded.
“You’ve got it the wrong way around, I don’t deserve Connor.”
“No, you have got it wrong.” Freddy walked over to her. He cupped her face between his hands and kissed her forehead. “You are everything good in the world. You have qualities I one day hope to find in a woman. You are brave, loyal, strong, and loving. He’s the one who has to prove his worth to you.”
Freddy turned and strode out of the room.
She stared after him as he walked away. “Did what I think just happened, happen?
“I think he gave me permission to be with you. Thing is, it’s not his agreement I’m looking for.”
“You really want me?”
“Baby, I’ve always wanted you. I’m sorry I was an ass. I pushed you away. I let you go without a fight. But I’m here now. And I’m ready to fight for you.”
“What about who I am? Who Freddy is?”
He took her hand and led her to the couch. He frowned as he looked her over. “You’re pale. Freddy said you haven’t been eating?”
“Haven’t had much of an appetite.”
“That stops now, hear me? I’m going to order some food and you’re going to eat it, even if I have to tie you down and feed you myself. And you’ll be getting sleep tonight.”
She grabbed hold of his hand as he went to stand. Screw food. “Connor, do you want to be my Dom again?”
She wanted it spelled out.
“No.”
Oh. Right. Disappointment flooded her.
“I’m here because I want to be with you. Forever. I don’t want to just be your Dom. I want to be your man. Someday, hopefully your husband. I love you, Ria.”
Oh my God. She wondered if she was dreaming. “I love you too.”
“Thank God,” he whispered.
“But are you sure you can live with who my brother is? And it’s not just him. There are cousins. And aunts and uncles. It’s a whole family deal. I made a stupid mistake, thinking that Freddy would ever hurt me. I was reeling from Martin’s betrayal. And I wasn’t thinking clearly. But I won’t cut myself off from him.”
“And I won’t ask you to. I know you think I’m very black and white, but I haven’t always lived on the right side of the law, you know.” He winked at her.
“Hard to believe.”
“I broke the law for the first time when I was twelve.”
Her jaw dropped open. “For the first time?”
“Yep. I hacked into the FBI database.”