Page 69 of Wilde In His Arms

“I know.We’re so close to having what we want.I appreciate the effort you’re putting in and that you’re coming here to be with me.It means everything to me that you’d make that sacrifice.”

He wanted to touch her, to reassure her.“It’s not a sacrifice if I want to do it.I’ll still have my job.”Though he planned to work a lot less.

“Not the one you earned.I know the one you’re taking here will be less risk and probably more responsibility without so much traveling.”

Thank God.“Which is what I want so that I can have a life outside of work.So I can spend more time with you.”He’d have some balance and happiness in his life.

“I just don’t want you to regret these choices.”She was so sweet.

“I don’t.And I won’t.Not ever.Not when I have you.”

Aria paused for a moment.“Do you mean that?”

He didn’t hesitate at all.“Yes.You’re mine.And I can’t wait for us to be under the same roof.When this case is over and it’s safe, will you move in with me?”

She sat up straighter and grinned, so big her cheeks pinked.“Yes.I can’t wait either.”

He smiled back at her.“Good.Something to look forward to.”

Aria leaned into the camera and studied him.“Are you okay?You know, after having to protect yourself and shooting that woman?”

He hadn’t had a lot of time to dwell on it.“It’s never easy, no matter the circumstances.”

Julia had given him no choice but to defend himself.

“You’re a good man, Nick.Never forget that.”Her words and how much she meant them hit him right in the heart.

“As long as I have you to share all of this with and to brighten my day, I’m good.I’ll also be talking to the FBI counselor about the shooting.You don’t need to worry about me.”

“I do.I always will.I love you, Nick.Hurry home to me.”

She was his home.

He would make sure nothing happened to her because of him.

Chapter twenty-seven

Maybeitwasher,but it felt like there were a few new faces in the bar tonight.It wasn’t like Aria knew everyone by name.Mostly she did.Small town and all that.Of course there were always a few faces she didn’t recognize at all.People who drove in for a fun night from neighboring towns.People just stopping by while they passed through, that kind of thing.

But tonight there seemed to be a couple of strangers watching everything.Including her.

Maybe you’re just paranoid after talking to Nick yesterday about the criminal they were hunting.That monster should be locked up behind bars for the rest of his life.

And now she was angry all over again about what he did to Stacy and the others, the threat he posed to Nick.Mason.Her.

How did he get off threatening Nick for something his sister instigated?She had gone after Nick.If she’d just surrendered, she’d still be alive and the real person responsible for doing harm would be behind bars.

How could she work for her brother doing that?

Aria didn’t know how anyone could harm an innocent child.

Ugh!She tried to shake off the rage and focus on her job, the bar.The customers were here for a good time and usually she aimed to please.

Nick had sent a picture of Javier Lopez, so she’d recognize him if he showed up.

She’d never seen him before.Of course she hadn’t.Because she didn’t associate with human trafficking assholes.And if Javier Lopez came into her bar, she’d make damn sure he left in cuffs.And at least with a black eye for what he did to Stacy.

Tonight was one of their slow nights.Still, the bar was more than half full with regulars.She preferred it when the bar was packed and they couldn’t keep up with orders.The craziness of it, the no-time-to-think, made the hours go by quickly.Another day done.Another day closer to Nick finally moving here.

---