Page 14 of Rugged Guardian

CHAPTER 8

WAYLON

Angelica looks down, her shoulders slumping slightly. “I didn’t know,” she whispers, a tremor in her voice that makes my heart twist. “I didn’t know until you found and read the ledger. And when you read the entry…I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t want to believe it.”

I run a hand through my hair, trying to keep my emotions in check. “It doesn’t change anything,” I say, though I’m not sure if I believe it. “The damage is done.”

“I know,” she says, her voice breaking slightly. “But I want to fix it. I want to make it right.”

I stare at her, my heart pounding. I want to believe her. I want to trust that she means what she’s saying, but it’s hard. After everything that’s happened, after all the lies and the secrets, how can I be sure?

“How?” I ask, my voice harsher than I intended. “How do you plan to make it right?”

She looks up at me, her eyes shining with determination and desperation. “I’m giving the land back to you.” The words hang in the air between us. “I want to end this feud, Waylon. I know the feud was between our parents, their parents, and their parents before them. But it still matters. I want to put it behind us for good. I want something with you. I want to regain what we lost so long ago, but that can’t happen if I don’t right the wrongs of the past.”

My breath catches in my throat. I wasn’t expecting this, wasn’t expecting her to go that far. I don’t know what to say. Part of me wants to jump at the offer, to take what’s rightfully mine, and finally put an end to this damn feud. But another part of me, the part that’s been hurt and betrayed, isn’t so sure. Could moving on be as easy as saying yes?

“That’s…that’s a big thing, Angelica,” I finally say, my voice strained. “Are you sure? I mean, it’s your family’s land now. It’s been in your family for generations.”

She nods, her expression resolute. “I’m sure. It was in your family for more generations before my great-grandfather cheated yours. It’s called King Mountain for a reason—it was named after the King family—your family. I can’t keep it, not after everything I’ve learned. It wouldn’t be right. I want to do this, Waylon. I want to do right by you and put this feud to rest. Hell, our parents and grandparents aren’t even here anymore. This is about you and me. Please, let me make this right.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I want to believe her. I want to believe this could be the start of something new, something better. But I’m scared. Scared of getting hurt again. Scared of opening up to her only to have her walk away.

“And what about us?” I ask, my voice quieter now, more vulnerable.

She hesitates, and I’m sure she’s about to tell me it’s over, that there’s no future for us. But then she looks up at me, her eyes full of something I can’t quite read.

“That’s up to you,” she admits, her voice soft. “I still love you, Waylon. I never stopped loving you.”

Her words send a shockwave through me, and my heart thunders in my chest. The darkness of the truth in the ledger and generations of animosity all seem so fucking dumb. If saying yes means I have another chance with Angelica, I’d be a fucking fool not to accept her offer.

“Angelica…” I trail off, unsure how to finish. I don’t know what to say.

I stare at her, my mind racing. I want to take that leap, to risk it all for a chance at happiness, but I’m scared. I’ve spent so much time caring for other people that putting myself and my heart first feels alien.

Angelica’s eyes are filled with love and hope, and I know I can’t walk away from her. No fucking way am I going to lose her a second time.

“I love you too,” I finally say, my voice raw with emotion. “I’ve always loved you, Angelica. And I want to try. I want this to work.”

Her eyes light up with relief and joy. Before I can react, she’s out of her chair and crossing the distance between us. She throws her arms around me, and I pull her close, burying my face in her hair as the tension melts away.

“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice muffled against my chest. “Thank you for giving us a chance.”

I hold her tighter, my heart full of emotions I can’t begin to describe. The burden of discovering the ledger and all the bad blood between our families lifts off my shoulders with what Angelica has done. She is such a strong, persistent, generous woman, and her loyalty and morals only make me love her more.

“I won’t let you go again,” I promise, my voice thick with emotion. “I swear, Angelica. I’ll never let you go again.”

She pulls back slightly, enough to look up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I promise to do the same. I won’t let anyone separate us.”

She leans in, brushing her lips against mine. The kiss is soft and tentative at first, as if we’re testing the waters. But then she parts her lips, and the kiss deepens, our tongues teasing and tangling. Every taste makes my entire being sing with happiness and love. I pull her tightly against my body, wanting no distance between us. Our kiss is filled with so much emotion it threatens to overwhelm me.

When we finally pull back, we’re both breathless, our foreheads touching. Her heart pounds against my chest, and I know that this is it—our second chance.

I smile. “We should—”

“It’s about fucking time!” Daryl yells, grinning and clapping as he stands on a chair.

Pretty soon, the whole bar is clapping and hooting, and I don’t know whether to throw them all out or grin and bear it. Angelica blushes, and I pull her in my arms, ushering her toward my office, which has an exit. I’ll deal with Daryl and the others another day.

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