Page 127 of Love Me Dangerous

“You can do it. I know you can. This means you’ll get custody, right?”

It feels weird to say it out loud, so I just nod.

Fresh tears glisten in her eyes, but her gaze turns fierce. “Of course, you need to go, Zach. This means everything to you.”

My nose stings with the emotions I’m failing to control. “I promised you I’d stay.”

I don’t know how to tell her what’s in my heart. I don’t even understand it. How can I love her this much, right when I’m about to lose her?

She tightens her grip on my hand and tries to smile, but it looks pained. “I would never keep you from your family.”

I kiss her softly, my lips trembling.But I want you to be my family, too.

Saying goodbye to her is going to tear me apart.

If I leave Finn River, I might as well rip my heart in two. That or it will die a slow and painful death inside me.

“I need to hold you right now.” I slip off my shoes.

“What?”

“Move over.” I lift the edge of the blankets.

“They’re going to kick us out.”

I kiss her again. It’s rushed, but the warmth from her lips tingles through me. “I’m okay with that.”

A little bit of the worry fades from her face. She wriggles to the other side of the bed, and I climb under the covers and tuck the blankets around us. The sheets are stiff and the vinyl bed crinkles, but it’s blissfully warm, the thick cotton blankets heavy. Gently, I roll Sofie to my chest and she wraps her arm around me. Exhaustion pulls at the corners of my mind. If only I could suspend time—stay right here in this warm bed just holding her.

Sofie releases a slow sigh— music to my ears because it’s another reminder that she’s okay. I never want her to hurt again. Be alone again. Feel abandoned again. But how can I protect her and fulfill my promise to William?

There has to be a way to stitch the two pieces of my heart together.

Somehow.

Chapter Thirty-One

ZACH

The overhead lightsare too bright for this little room, but I force myself to look the state attorney in the eye as he reads me the legal steps of the deposition.

Watching via a secure video conference link from Alaska and the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Department is Deputy Hunter McCabe, and federal arson investigator Brian Ambrose, a friendly face I haven’t seen since I left the foster care system, and a studious-looking woman in a blue suit whom I don’t know.

“Do you swear to tell the truth and only the truth in this recorded statement?” State Attorney Ned Thompson asks next to me, his deep brown eyes steady.

“I swear,” I say.

“And are you aware this statement will be used in a court of law during the discovery phase of any related legal action by either Kristov Stoll’s council, the State of Alaska, or federal prosecutors?”

“I understand.”

“Also present is Deputy Hunter McCabe of the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Department, ATF Special Agent Brian Ambrose, and Alaska State Attorney Serena Baker, who is overseeing the case against Kristov Stoll.”

Alaska State Attorney Serena Baker gives me a kind smile. “Thanks for being here, Zach.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Hey, Zach,” Hunter says.

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