Page 135 of Shattered Hearts

What if she still doesn’t want this life?

Then I’ll make her want it,the greediest part of me snarls.

I can no longer imagine a life without Riley.

I know how she feels about the Kings. On multiple occasions, she’s been nearly killed because of this mob. How can I ask her stay with me, knowing I’m asking her to rejoin a world she despises?

Shit.

But I…need her.

Everything inside me wants to claim her as my own, mark her asmine.

Forever.

That night, after Riley changes into her pajamas and slides into bed with me, I grab her right hand with my left and bring her fingers to my lips.

“Riley.” She always blushes a little when I say her name. “Pick me.”

Her brow furrows. “What?”

My hand tightens on her fingers. “Pick me. I know my dad gave you a choice, and I know I’m a selfish asshole for asking, but I want you to return to the Family and pick me. Now that I’ve gotten a taste of you, I can’t ever let you go.”

Silence stretches between us. My pulse accelerates, driven by fear.

Finally, she strokes my cheek. “I already made my choice when I forced myself into your rescue mission. I’ll follow you anywhere, Finn Gallagher.”

A clog forms in my throat. I don’t deserve her, but I’ll keep her anyway. She’s perfect for me. The strongest woman I know. Where Brianne fled, Riley attacked. To save my unworthy hide.

Though I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of her.

“What about you?” She sniffles. “Everyone wants you to be with Harper. She’s the perfect one. I’m…a weak substitute for her, at best.”

Frustrated confusion fizzes through me like carbonation.What bullshit is this gorgeous woman trying to spin me right now?She’s worried my dad and my friends won’t approve of her because she’s not her sister? Because of bad blood with Red Hill?

Fuck that.

“Don’t ever spout that kind of bullshit to me again.” I use my good hand to cup her chin. “You’re perfect for me, and after what you did for me, you’re crazy if you think my friends and dad disagree. And even if they did, screw them. It’s you and me from here on out.”

Riley searches my face with wide, damp eyes. “Really?”

“Really.” My heart clenches as I gaze into her eyes. “A few weeks ago, I didn’t even know I was still capable of love, and now I’m overflowing with it. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

“Me either.” She toys with a strand of my hair. “What if I’d said life when you asked me to pick you? Would you really have let me go?”

“Hell no. I’d have done everything in my power to convince you to change your mind, and if that failed, I would have kidnapped you and tied you to my bed until you chose me.”

She smirks. “Is it too late to change my mind?”

My eyes narrow. “Just you wait until I’m better. I’ll put you over me knee and spank you for that.”

“Promises, promises.” She climbs on top of me and presses her mouth to my neck.

My good hand crawls up the back of her t-shirt. “I’ve got something for you. Nightstand. Second drawer.”

She opens the drawer and retrieves the velvet drawstring bag.

When she offers it to me, I shake my head. “It’s for you.”

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