Page 51 of Locke

“I’m pretty sure you have a concussion, sweetheart, and you’re gonna be wakin’ up every two hours like the doc suggests when this shit happens.”

“I can think of ways to stay awake,” she purrs, and my heart leaps. I do love this girl. More than I should, but there’s no way I can stop.

“That’s not happenin’. As much as I’d like to fuck you right now, I’m not. You need to rest, and I need to talk to your dad.”

“Stay with me,” she asks, although it sounds more like begging. I know she doesn’t want to be alone and I didn’t plan on leaving her.

“I’m right here, darlin’.”

“I know,” she sighs as I move her over and lay her on the bed. Her head hits the pillow, and her eyes flutter. She needs to sleep, she needs the rest. I lay down next to her, pulling her against me and holding her. I press a kiss to the back of her head and keep her tucked into me.

“Locke?”

“Yeah?”

“Promise you’ll never leave me.” My heart thuds harder in my chest.

“I’m never leavin’ you, Kiki.” After a few minutes, her breathing evens out, and I know she’s asleep. I slip out of bed and walk toward the door before looking back over at her and smiling. She’s the best thing to happen to me. She’s everything. I once thought I had it all, but I didn’t. This is it. This is what it feels like to have it all.

“I love you, darlin’,” I whisper, even though she can’t hear me. Then I walk out of the room and down to the main room to find Gunner.

I find him and Hodge sitting at the bar talking, so I walk over and join in.

“She okay?”

“I’m pretty sure she has a concussion, but she’s fine.”

“Good. I’m glad she’s alright,” he says.

“We’re movin’ on him,” Hodge adds as I nod my head.

“I’m ready for that.”

“Are you?” he asks. I nod my head once more as a beer is slipped in front of me.

“Damn right, I am. He overstepped this time, brother. He’s gettin’ too close for my likin’.”

“Mine too. Spike has it out for her,” Gunner says as I nod my head and take a long pull from my beer.

“He ain’t havin’ her.”

“Fuck no, he’s not.”

“That’s agreeable,” Hodge adds.

“When are we doin’ this?”

“As soon as we learn a little more. I got guys out there now,” Gunner says.

“Why didn’t you send me out?” I ask.

“She needs you now. She’s had enough goin’ on, and I don’t need her worryin’ over you while you’re out there,” Gunner tells me.

“I’m in on this, though, yeah?”

“Fuck, yeah, you are. You just weren’t needed on the recon mission, brother. When shit comes down, you’re on lead.” I like the sound of that. I like the idea of being on lead. We all go silent, and as we finish our beers, Gunner’s phone rings. He pulls it out and answers it before glancing over at me.

“Yeah? Where?” he speaks into the line. I can feel it. The anticipation in my blood. The need, the urge to finish this motherfucker once and for all.

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