Page 120 of The Rogue

His tone shifts. “And I didn’t save the day.” From my seat, I see him swallow hard. “I’m the reason Vince and Eddie found her.”

I glance down at Tessa. My voice low. “What are you talking about?”

"When I was finishing up in the courtroom, Frank practically laughed at me when I assured him we’d keep her safe. He said that was hard to believe when my surveillance cameras were the reason they found her.”

“Fuck.” After a moment, I add, “It’s not your fault. And don’t even think about taking those down. We’ll just be careful.”

Guilt still gnaws at my brother by the time we roll into the driveway.

Thank fuck we’re home.

“You gonna be alright?” Noah asks. “I’m going to go check on Charlie.”

“She okay?”

“I sent her a text on the drive over to close up and head to Pepper’s. Might as well catch them all up.”

“Thanks.”

I lift Tessa into my arms. She moans softly but doesn’t wake.

Dad’s car is in the driveway. He holds the door open as I climb the porch steps and carry her through the threshold.

All I want is to keep her safe. She is. And for now, that has to be enough.

I settle her on the couch in her favorite corner. She barely stirs, her head turning onto a pillow.

“Damn. She’sout.” Dad observes.

I watch her. “Don’t think she’s slept in days.”

He rests a hand on my shoulder. “Neither have you. Sit down. I made soup.”

“I’m not hungry.” I stalk away to the den, pacing in place.

Dad follows me. “Levi, calm down. She’s home. She’s safe.”

“Do you know she didn’t want to come here tonight? She practically begged that FBI agent not to let me take her.”

He sighs. “I know. That’s…why I didn’t tell you that Tessa was in trouble. She left to protect you and Jackson.”

“We’ll be fine. All of us. I’m making sure of it.”

He nods. “Is there something else?”

My gaze drifts to where she’s resting in the other room. “She was scared. When she saw me, she was scared. Not relieved. Not happy. But scared.”

He crosses his arms. “Why am I getting the feeling you think that’s your fault?”

“Because of what I said to her before she left. It was selfish and immature. I used her feelings for me to threaten her.”

He blows out a breath. “Alright, well…every Reeves man deserves one jackass moment. That was yours.”

“I exceeded my limit with her long ago.”

“And yet, here she is, head over heels for you.”

My heart slices at the idea. I’ve already claimed myself hers forever. That marriage certificate is half valid with my signature. She’s yet to hear my vows, but she will.

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