Kaylie shook her head. “No, I’m fine, but thank you.”
Ryan saw her pallor and the brightness in her eyes. He could have kicked himself all the way to Florida for having let her get shot. He walked over to the bed and bent down to kiss Kaylie.
She turned her head away.
He frowned and realized she blamed him for her wound, as she rightly should. He settled for kissing her forehead. He backed up and sat in the chair. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine.”I want to reach over and comfort her, but in her current state of mind, she wouldn’t appreciate it. Why would she claim me as a fiancé and then be so standoffish now?
“I’ve just been in surgery because I was shot. How do you think I’m going to feel?”
“I know you’re feeling scared right now. If Rizzo can find you here, he can find you anywhere. Am I right?”
She looked away. “Maybe.”
“Kaylie. I’m sorry I let you down. Paul’s assistant was an informant for Rizzo. She was a user. Unfortunately, after she gave him the information on you, they did away with her.”
She snapped her head back toward him. “They killed her?”
He nodded and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “Yes. She was of no more use to them, so Rizzo had her eliminated.”
Kaylie closed her eyes. “All he does is destroy people.” She opened them and looked straight at him. “He has to be stopped.”
“He does. I agree. And you’re the only one who can do it.”
She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. “Oww.” She quickly uncrossed them. “I shouldn’t do that. It pulls on my stitches and hurts like the dickens. I’ll still testify.”
“Kaylie, I know I didn’t protect you like I said I would. I’m so sorry for that.”
She reached over to him and gave him a small smile. “I’m sorry I’m so grumpy. I don’t blame you, I really don’t. I’m just afraid he’ll come again.”
“Paul doesn’t think so, but if he does, we’ll be ready. I’m stationing one of my men at the front and back doors twenty-four hours a day. No one gets in or out unless they’re known to us. And I’ll give them permission to shoot anyone who tries. Plus, I’ll be with you twenty-four/seven. I’m not letting you out of my sight. Which brings me to another topic.”
She lifted her brows. “What’s that?”
He ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t know how to say this and it’s all right if you don’t feel the same, but I love you, Kaylie Smith. I want you to stay with me. I want you to marry me.”
Her eyes widened. “Marry you? You do realize I just came out of surgery, don’t you?”
“Yes, I know, but marry me anyway. I know it wasn’t a very romantic—”
“I hope the anesthesia has worn off but, yes. Yes. I’ll marry you. Ryan, I love you, too.”
He stood and leaned over until his lips were just a whisper from hers. “Thank you.” Then he kissed her deeply, putting all his love into this one kiss. He was pleased when she kissed him back.
When he pulled back, he smiled.
She furrowed her brows. “What do you mean…thank you?”
“You saved me, sweetheart. Saved me from becoming old and withered and alone. You brought me back to life.”
She tilted her head just a little toward him. “Oh, Ryan. You did the same for me. Not only did I believe Vinnie would kill me, but if he didn’t, I didn’t know what I’d do after the trial. I think WitSec would’ve relocated me again, but nowhere I loved more than here.”
“When do you want to get married?”
She wrung her hands in her lap. “I’ve always dreamed of a Christmas wedding, but I know you and Janice were supposed to get married then. So you pick the date.”