Page 69 of Hidden By His Side

Her eyes fluttered open. Lines were carved deep in his forehead, and his jaw was clenched. She rubbed at it through his beard, liking the feel of his hair against her hand. Her thumb brushed over that jumping nerve right above his cheek.

“I love you so much, Ramiro. More than anyone could ever love you.”

His breath shuddered out. “I know. You’ve always loved me more than anyone ever has. You love me even when I fuck up.” His lips found her palm, kissing her there. “I love you, too. I wish you’d believe that.”

“I do sometimes.” She leaned her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes again, just for a second. Her eyes opened, and she took in the awkward way Derek’s limbs lay twisted beneath him. His eyes were open and empty of everything, no longer angry.

She probably shouldn’t feel fierce satisfaction inside at seeing him dead, but she did.

Her hands clung to Ramiro tighter. “You’re really here?”

“I’m here, baby girl. I’m always going to be here, whenever you’re scared.”

His hands on her made her feel safe. He’d just killed with those hands. “You killed my baby’s father,” she mumbled. With the fear drained away, exhaustion pulled at her.

“I know. I’m not sorry. It’d be a lie to say I was.” He placed another kiss on her head. “He put his hands on you. In anger. No one gets to do that and live.”

She turned her head, kissing that spot on his neck that his collar didn’t cover. “Thank you,” she said.

“Are you hurt, Summer?” he asked. “I saw you fall. Is the baby—?” He choked on the word.

“My wrists hurt a little, but nothing else.” She closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of him. “Will you take me home now?”

“Yes. Let’s go home.” He cleared his throat. “But I want to hold you all night, if you’ll let me?”

He was being ridiculous. As if there was any chance she wouldn’t let him. She wound her arms tighter around him as he stood with her and carried her out of the apartment.

Chapter 23

Ramiro couldn’t calm down, even with Summer safe in his arms. Her body curled against his, her hand rested over his chest, and her slow, steady breaths fluttered against his neck above his collar.

He wished he’d at least taken off his shirt, but he hadn’t been able to loosen his hold on her enough to do it.

Summer had been so still when he’d burst into her apartment. For a second, he’d thought he’d been too late. Her prick of an ex had already been scrambling up, his shouting switching to a whining panic that Ramiro hadn’t had to listen to for long.

He’d known he was going to kill him, but it was over before he could really process it. He needed to have Summer safe against him as soon as possible.

Her words of love hadn’t calmed him at all. Her love made him realize all over again that he didn’t deserve her. She wantedhim to hold her, though, so he hadn’t tried to make himself let go. Summer needed him. That was all that mattered.

What had the prick even wanted? It didn’t matter. Him choosing to come back had been a deadly mistake.

And once Ramiro had a chance to think more clearly, he’d figure out which of the doormen had been on shift tonight and let her ex in, then take care of them as well. Not that she’d ever be on-site there again. No, she was staying with him from now on. Ramiro didn’t want to ever let her out of his sight.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He steadied her with a hand on her back as he fished it out.

‘It’s done,’ Diego’s text read.

Ramiro sighed. He couldn’t regret killing the man so quickly, not when Summer had been in danger, but the hate inside him still wanted to tear into flesh, and the body was already gone.

‘Sorry to pull you away,’ he sent back instead.

‘Glad to repay the favor.’

Ramiro let his phone drop to the bed. When Diego had lost his mind over a woman, Ramiro had seen too much of himself in him. He’d even tried to step in, offering an out to Diego’s woman, just as he’d always offered to Summer.

She hadn’t taken it, just as Summer never had, but choice was important to Ramiro. It made it both worse and better that Summer always chose him.

He was done trying to push her away. Summer deserved more than him, but it didn’t matter anymore. Even if she’d wanted herown life, he would have hovered at the edges, absorbing every scrap that he could.

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