Page 71 of Fastlander Fighter

“Not just about this,” Gunner murmured. “I’ve wanted to say it for a long time. I know our parents aimed their focus at me and all the fuck-ups I put our family through. I’m sorry for everything.”

Captain didn’t turn around, because he couldn’t allow Gunner to see the slight smile that took his lips. Attaboy. Atta brother. Finally. He was finally taking accountability for his part in their break. Someday he would tell his parents—Haydan and Cassie Walker of the Ashe Crew—what Gunner had said tonight, and they would be so damn proud of their son. Captain was proud of his brother, too.

For tonight though, after everything…after they’d bled each other, and traveled to Damon’s lair, and hashed it out, and the Alpha order was lifted…a simple nod of acknowledgement and respect would have to be enough.

Captain ducked his chin slightly, and then made his way to the doors that would lead him out of this room and toward the woman he loved. Oh, he remembered now. Sloane had said she loved him, and she hadn’t heard it back. That was unacceptable, and he would remedy it shortly.

He couldn’t wait another minute to hold her in his arms again, because Gunner had been right.

Sloane was the one who reminded him who the fuck he was.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The double doors swung open, and Sloane pushed off the wall she’d been leaning on.

Captain emerged and looked at Damon, then down the hallway toward her.

His face softened when his eyes landed on her, and she knew he was back.

“Captain,” she whispered as she let go of Silver’s hand and walked toward him.

His strides were powerful as he made a beeline for her. He transitioned to a jog as he got closer, then scooped her up as she ran into him.

His arms were so tight and strong around her as he pulled her off the ground and crushed her to his chest.

A sob escaped her before she’d even realized she was crying. “You stupid boy,” she whispered. “You stupid boy.”

“I love you too, I love you too. Fuuuuck. I’m so sorry,” he said against her ear, swaying her gently as he held her so tight. “I remember it all.”

She hugged him as tight as she could, arms squeezing his neck, legs wrapped around him as she cried against the side of his neck.

Sloane was a mess, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care who was watching, she didn’t care where she was, she didn’t care about anything outside of this moment with Captain.

“You left,” she said in a small voice.

“Not on purpose. I won’t do it again.”

She closed her eyes against the world and dotted his shoulder with her tears. When she opened them again, Gunner was coming up behind Captain, his eyes full of emotion.

“Don’t do it again,” she pleaded to the Alpha.

“I won’t.”

She nodded. “Promise.”

“I promise.”

Captain eased back and cupped the side of her neck as he drew her lips to his and kissed her to silence. He eased back and rested his forehead on hers. “Where’s Ruger?”

“At his dad’s.”

“When do we get him back?”

She closed her eyes and heaved a breath at how good that was to hear. When do we get him back?

She had a teammate. She had a partner.

She had someone that, even though he’d been poisoned into losing his memory of Ruger, had said, “And me,” when the question of who would keep her son safe had come up. Even when he was under an Alpha’s order to forget them.

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