Page 125 of Exile and Embrace

I lay down beside him, ignoring the stiffness in my body as I curl into his side.

I close my eyes, listening to the rapid beat of his heart. “Is this really what you want? I love you, Finn, and I want to be with you, but if you’re going to change your mind in the morning or try to push me away again to keep me safe, then this isn’t going to work.”

“You are really what I want, Aves. This life with you? It’s all I’ve ever really wanted. I can’t promise that there won’t be danger at some point, but I’ll keep you safe. I’ll make sure you know when there’s a threat, so you can keep yourself safe, too. I won’t make the same mistake twice. I don’t ever want to lose you again.”

“Good. I need this time to be different, Finn, because if it isn’t, then I would rather only go through the heartbreak once.”

“No more heartbreak. I promise. This time is different. I’m not going to keep you in the dark.”

“Will you teach me how to fight? Make sure that I can shoot as well as you can?” I prop myself up on one elbow, looking down at him. “Don’t hurt me to keep me safe. We’re a team, Finn.”

He rolls onto his side, cupping my jaw.

His thumb brushes across my cheekbone. “I never wanted you to be involved in this world.”

“Too late for that. You know who my brother-in-law is. You know what my father did. I’ve been in this long before you and I ever started our fake relationship.”

Finn traces his fingers along the curve of my hip. “I never factored that in, Ava.”

Laughing, I rake my fingers through his hair. “When are we going to go back to Oregon?”

“I was thinking that we should stay here for a couple more days. Rest a little bit. Visit with your family now that Camila is allowing me to be in Tennessee.”

“You weren’t allowed in Tennessee?”

He shrugs a shoulder. “No. Christian wanted me to leave Tennessee and never look back once I was released. He kept me alive while I was in prison, so I honored his wish, and I left. Camila pulled me aside while the doctor was examining you at the hospital and told me I was welcome here anytime.”

“Camila is the only one you have to worry about. Christian may still be connected, but he gave up the cartel to be with my sister.”

“I’m not giving up on life in the mob.” Finn’s tone is soft, but it feels like he is building walls between us. “It’s the only thing I’ve ever known, Aves, and I like it.”

“I didn’t ask you to give it up.” I trace the line of the gold chain around his neck. “When I agreed to come to Oregon with you, I knew who you were. I didn’t go running then, and I’m not going running now.”

“Good.” He leans in and kisses me. “I would spend a lifetime chasing you down, though. I hope you know that.”

“I know that.” I yawn and stretch, peeling myself off the mattress and heading to the bathroom. “I need to soak until the ache leaves my bones. You coming with me?”

He springs to his feet and sheds the rest of his clothing. “What kind of question is that? If there is ever a time I don’t want to see you naked, shoot me.”

I grin and shake my head. “I’m not going to shoot you.”

“Fine, you might stab me.” He smirks and weaves his way by me, heading to the bathtub and turning on the water. “I’ve seen the way you use a knife.”

Though the joke is morbid, laughter bubbles up inside me.

It’s been a long day, and all I want to do is relax and forget everything that happened.

I strip down and get in the bath.

Finn slides in behind me, pulling me back against his chest.

I sigh and lean back, closing my eyes as the bubbles surround us.

We may have a long way to go in our relationship, but this is a fresh start.

33

FINN

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