Page 115 of Vengeful Union

32

RORY

I knowthat Lara’s family wants to see her desperately, but I can’t help asking Gray for a little time.

“She was taken?—”

“Not by me. I just need a couple of days, to make sure none of my father’s men revolt.”

It’s not necessarily a lie. There could be a few of my father’s men that would find out about his death and come after me. I don’t want Lara to be cannon fodder if that happens.

But I’m pretty sure most of them will turn tail and run.

My father protected them from retaliation and from prison, and now that he’s gone, I expect there won’t be a lot of blow-back.

Duncan saw it happen, and he’s been telling everyone exactly how it went down.

But even though I’m not technically lying to Gray, my intentions aren’t all pure.

I want more time with Lara. I need to get up the courage to ask her if she would want to stay.

“All right, Murphy. You have two days,” Gray growls, and hangs up the phone.

I sigh. I don’t think he likes me very much, and Declan probably isn’t too keen, either.

But I can win them over, as long as Lara wants me back.

She’s told me that she loves me, but is that enough? Did she just say that out of pity or even out of fear for her life?

I can’t imagine she thinks of me as anything like my father, but shewaskidnapped by his men. I’m worried that when she sees her family, she’ll realize she wants to leave me.

I don’t know how I’ll handle that.

I don’t know if I can. It feels like Lara is the only good thing left here. Of course, there’s Bree, but she has her own life.

I want a life with Lara. I just can’t seem to make myself ask her about it, to tell her how I really feel.

So, I want a couple more days to show her.

“What do you keep staring at me for?” Lara asks, smiling. “Do I have something between my teeth?”

I chuckle and shake my head, trying to snap myself out of it. If I think about losing her too often, I’ll lose it myself.

“Nothing like that. You're just beautiful."

She turns around to look at me, her smile widening. “You think I’m beautiful?”

I scoff. “Of course, I do. I’ve told you before.”

“Sure, during sex,” she teases, getting closer and trailing her index finger across my chest through the fabric of my shirt. “Doesn't mean anything then."

“Why not?” I tilt my head back as she starts to drop kisses along my collarbone.

“Because guys always say stuff like that during sex, then they won’t compliment you outside the bedroom.”

I frown, jealousy rushing through me. “What kind of jerks are you dating?”

Lara laughs out loud, letting go of my hand and starting to speed up as she heads for the creek.

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