Page 117 of End It All

"With what?"

I let him go and rummaged through my bag for the papers. I passed over the case files. Since walking through the door, I realized that Blake had been cooking. I smiled as I took notice that it was exactly what I'd asked for.

"What is this?" He opened them, his eyes widening the more he read. "Who the hell is this?" He pointed to the picture of the perp that had robbed the bank.

"Didn't you read what it said?"

"Yeah, but he didn't do it."

I nodded. "Yes, he did." Blake stared at me as if I'd lost my mind. "I know a few people in California who owe me big time. A deal was struck, and bam, you're no longer on the run. There are eyewitnesses and everything.”

"Just like that?"

I smiled and stood up taller. "I told you I'd take care of it."

His mouth opened and closed as he stood there.

"Was it not a good surprise?"

Blake shook his head and then closed the folder. "I mean, yeah, but how? I was still contemplating telling Benito. And my dad said he'd take care of it if?—"

I was back on him in a second. Shoving him against the wall again and lowering my head until we saw eye to eye. "You're mine, Blake Vitale."

His blue eyes stared back at me expectantly.

"I take care of what's mine, I don't need another man to do it. Am I clear?"

His smile was mischievous. "Yeah?"

I took his mouth in a heated kiss, drinking him in until my lungs burned from lack of oxygen. "Don't push me, Blake. I tiptoe the line of insanity everyday."

His laughter filled the space as he pushed at my chest. "Quincy, I have news for you. You're fucking batshit insane already."

I backed up reluctantly, putting distance between us. If I could, I'd crawl inside of Blake and be there twenty-four-seven. No breaks needed.

"Stop looking at me with that crazed look in your eyes," Blake warned as he headed for the kitchen. He went right back to the stove.

"You could have eaten without me." I looked at the time, it was nearly midnight.

He shrugged as if it wasn’t that big of a deal, but it was to me. Blake was giving me more than anyone ever had. It was clear I was someone important to him.

My phone rang and I checked it. My mom’s contact was displayed on the screen. I hadn't told her I got married and a part of me didn't want to. I didn't need her soiling this happiness that I had finally carved out for myself. I wanted to hoard all of Blake's attention for myself. The other part, the one that still craved some kind of parental acknowledgment or love, wanted to go and show Blake off to her. Show her I could make someone happy. That I wasn't my father, or even her, but someone somuch better. The thoughts were fleeting and it was a steady war of should I or shouldn't I.

"Who was that?" Blake asked as the screen went black.

I shook my head and stuffed my phone away, but not before turning it off. "No one important."

He lifted a single brow, watching me keenly. "You sure?"

I nodded, wrapped my arms around his waist, and rested my head on top of his. "You're all I need."

He reached up and touched my forehead. "You're not warm."

"I'm not sick."

"Had to make sure. You're being such a simp."

"Fuck you, Blake."

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