Page 57 of King of Wrath

“You think that’s a good plan? Tie ourselves together for life?”

I lift the long strands to my own face, inhaling her scent. “My feelings are something I’m still figuring out, but I can say this with absolutely certainty, you’re the only woman I would ever consider offering for.”

“Why is that?”

I swallow. “I mean, besides the fact that you’re stunningly gorgeous and so sexy that I can barely see straight?”

A small smile touches her lips. “Besides that.”

“We were both forged in the fire. We’ve both seen real darkness. We understand each other, don’t we?”

She nods. “I think we do.”

I take the ring out of the box and reach for her hand. Then, I slip the piece on her finger.

She chews on her lip like she’s still not sure.

“You can take some time to think. I’ll understand if you change your mind. But my family’s protection gives you all the options, Nia.”

She stares at me, cocking her head.

“And I can make certain Toni Carcetti never steps out of prison.”

Her fingers thread into mine. “Is that a promise?”

“Promise,” I say bringing her knuckles to my lips.

The ring on her finger catches a bit of moonlight, sparkling in the dim light. It looks so right on her finger, and I climb back into the bed, settling her against my body again.

Her head settles on my chest, her body fitting to mine again. “Jake?”

“Yeah, sweetheart?”

“I’ve lived a lie for the past ten years. I can’t do that with you, you know?”

It’s not a lie. Not anymore. My feelings are real and whatever amount of commitment she needs from me, I’m here for it. But it’s only as I mull the words, I realize she’s not talking about me. “A lie?”My heart picks up speed, thumping in my chest. “That Toni is your father?”

“That he isn’t a monster,” she whispers back.

My hands spread out on her body. I need to know what she knows but also, even more than that, I need to protect her. “Tell me.”

She takes a deep breath. “I saw him…”

My stomach bottoms out, weighed down like it’s been filled with lead. But I don’t say a word. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. Building toward.

But I care less about knowing the secret for my gain and more about taking this burden from her. I can’t imagine how she’s carried it alone. “What did you see him do?” I hold her closer, resting my chin on her head.

“I had a nightmare. I couldn’t sleep. So I went to her room…”

I squeeze my eyes shut. Fuck. Even hearing it is hard. I hate that she went through all of this. “What did you see, sweetheart?”

“I saw him holding her under the water,” her voice breaks on a sob. “I never told anyone. When he saw me, he said he was trying to save her. That’s what I told the police.”

“You lied for him.”

She nods into my chest. “I was so afraid.”

“Of course you were, baby.” I know what she needs to hear and I’m happy to give it to her. She’s alive because she lied. “You did the right thing.”

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