Page 33 of Leaving Lando

“Bree.” Lando sweeps me into his arms after gently relieving me of the phone and the gun. “Brianna. I’m here.”

“Lando.” I burrow into him, shivering violently. “So cold.”

“We’ll get you warm, baby.” Someone wraps a blanket around me, tucking it in close, and Lando hurries toward an SUV with its engine running. He climbs into the back; voices confer outside, and then someone else climbs into the front and the SUV takes off.

“I thought I’d lost you.” His voice is raw.

“Thought I’d … lost you … too.”

“I’m here. We’re here.” He touches his lips to my hair. “I love you, Bree.”

“Lando.” I’m pressed as close to him as I can get, and it’s still not enough. “Not … just … a fuck buddy.”

“No, baby. I’m not.”

“Love you too.”

“That’s good.” His arms tighten around me. “Means I don’t have to stalk you.”

My lips form a trembling smile. “Smartass,” I whisper.

“There’s my Red. Hang on, babe.”

The SUV speeds on through the night, but my heart is already warm.

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