Page 95 of Through The Woods

Charm’s eyes focused on mine and his grip tightened on my legs; a clear indication that he was still listening and waiting for me to continue.

Axel had claimed that fentanyl was highly potent and Doc backed it up, saying that what I didn’t inhale had most likely been absorbed through my skin—something that sounded fishy, at best.

“I knew something was off within a few seconds. It was like trying to breathe through a straw and then my throat went numb. Axel or Clint created a diversion long enough to get me out of the house. Blade killed Axel first…and then Clint. They died trying to help me.”

Charm looked down at me. “Clint wasn’t involved? Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Blade was responsible for all of it. Clint got in too deep with him and—” I mashed my lips together as salty tears ran down my face.

Charm cupped my chin in his blood-stained hand and wiped away my tears with his thumb. “It’s okay, honey. You’re safe now.”

My entire body shook, but I kept talking. “The fire. It was to get my parent’s money. He was the one who stabbed me; I didn’t put it together until he showed up at the clubhouse. He thought he’d get me high and I’d give up the money. Clint thought that the drugs were for Blade and cut the coke with fentanyl.” I couldn’t finish—couldn’t tell him that it was the same drug that had been used against his sister.

He immediately reached for me, pulling me up against his chest. “I’m sorry, honey. God, to think that I almost lost you…”

I focused on the warmth of his large hands framing my face and not on the fact that the knuckles of his right hand were split wide open before whispering, “I have a confession to make. I’ve needed to say it for a while now, but haven’t known how. You have a right to know though.”

His body tensed and he rocked back on his heels, letting me go. “Okay.”

I traced the stitching on the comforter. “I found your journal my first week here. I didn’t mean to pry, but I wanted to know more about you.”

His brows furrowed, but I kept going. “That book became an addiction for me and I read it every chance I got. Initially, it was just to see what kind of person you were, but I quickly became invested in everyone’s lives. The things you overcame and the things you did for Rae and Joker—it speaks volumes about your character. The night of the gathering, Doc told me that I’d made you different.

“I didn’t believe him until I found the other journal, but by then it didn’t matter. You see, the thing is—I’d already fallen in love with your kindness when I read about Bones. I’d fallen in love with your character when you gave up on your dreams to stay and protect your sister. You did everything in your power to set things right so that no one else would ever know loss like you had. Reading what you wrote in your journal about me was just the final link in the chain—I’d fallen in love with you as a man long before that. I just needed a push in the right direction.”

There was so much left that needed to be said and I was quickly growing tired, but I managed with a gravelly whisper, “I couldn’t have left—was never even given a choice in the matter. It was always meant to be you. Every awful event I went through led me to the woods by the clubhouse and I—I love you, Kane. I realize you may not feel the same any—”

He moved his thumb until it covered my lips, silencing me. “Look around you, baby. Do I look like a man who would risk everything for just anyone?”

I shook my head, but he kept his thumb where it was and continued. “Fuck no. I love you. You’re stuck with me—you’re gonna marry me…carry my babies…”

I swallowed hard and talked around his hand. “You wanna marry me?” It came out in a hoarse squeak.

He nodded impatiently, as if we’d already covered the topic hundreds of times. “And knock you up—that way everyone sees you’re mine too.” He dropped his hand inside the pocket of his pants and pulled out a small ring. It was a simple, hand forged silver band with a small ruby in the center. The corner of his mouth turned up in a slight smile. “Reminded me of your lips the night of the gathering.”

I stared at it in wonder and complete shock, while waiting for him to drop to one knee and ask me ‘the question.’

He cocked his head to the side. “What? You don’t like it?”

I smiled. “No, I love it. I was just waiting on you to do this properly.” I glanced down toward the wood floor and he sighed.

“You’re shittin’ me, right?”

I shook my head. “If you want an answer, you have to ask me a question.”

That cocky grin reappeared. “And what makes you think I’m askin’, honey? I claimed you.”

My own smile widened. “If you want me to wear that pretty little ring on my finger, you’ll ask me like a damn gentleman, Kane.”

He bit down on his lower lip before dropping to one knee beside the bed. “Alright then—baby, will you marry me? I can’t promise you that it’ll be easy, but I’ll keep you safe. I’ll give you my name and a family within the club. You’ll never want for anything.” The moonlight streaming in through the window made his eyes look suspiciously shiny.

I nodded happily. “Yes, Kane. I’ll marry you.”

He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine before slipping the ring onto my finger. “That official enough for ya, boss?”

I lightly bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. It hurt too much for that. “It’s a start, Kane. It’s a start.”

He kissed me fiercely before stepping back to strip out of his cut-off and t-shirt.

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