“I can tell you now, with all certainty, he’ll never bother you again. I’m getting rid of him like I should’ve in the beginning.” He nods at both of us before turning to walk away. He pauses right before the door and turns to look at us over his shoulder. “Remember our deal, Colten. You do the work, and you’ll always have my protection and help.”
Colten nods, and Ace walks out of the room.
As soon as the lock clicks, Colten rushes to me, crushing me against his chest. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. Are you okay?”
“Are you?” He holds my face in his hands and kisses my forehead, my cheeks, my nose before finally reaching my lips. “I thought I lost you. I thought he was going to—”
“He didn’t. Because you were stupid enough to try to wrestle the gun away from him.”
“Stupid?” His head snaps back, eyes wide.
“You could have gotten yourself killed! What would I have done if you did that? How am I supposed to live without you?”
His expression softens. “Say that again.”
“How am I supposed to live without you?” Tears fill my eyes, and I don’t bother trying to blink them back. They spill over my lashes and run over his hands. “Don’t you know I’m in love with you? I love you. Please, don’t ever do anything like that again.”
“What if it means trying to defend the woman I love?” He kisses me again, softer this time, gentler. All I can do is hold him tight, and this time, I’m crying out of sheer happiness.
We’re finally free, and we’re together, and nothing in the world has ever felt so right.
“Come on,” he murmurs. “We’re getting the hell out of this place. I’d rather drive around with you for the rest of the day until we get the all clear than spend another minute here.”
“You’re the boss,” I happily agree.
His mouth pulls up at the corner, eyes narrowing. “You’re damn right.”
Oh, yes. I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.