Page 103 of When He Hunts

She was so freaking beautiful. Her hair was still wet from the rain. Her clothes slightly damp. She glared at him. Her eyes shot fire. And all he wanted to do was hold her and never let go.

After I permanently eliminate all the threats to her.

“Ronan!”

“Sorry. Got lost in your eyes.”

Those eyes shot even hotter sparks at him. “Don’t you dare try to charm me right now. You left me. I thought I’d never see you again. I’ve been drugged. Kidnapped. Andnowyou’re saying that you love me? I’m supposed to believe you?”

Hell, yes, she was. “I loved you when I left.” It had been one of the reasons he left. “I wanted you to have the life you craved. Wanted you to sing and shine on a stage. Or get back in the classroom with your kids if that was the choice you wanted. Nothing should stop you from living.” She’d been stopped too much in her life. “That was one thing I could do. Eliminate the threat to you.” It was precisely what he would do.

But he’d realized—when he saw that prick carrying her across the runway—that the only way to be absolutely sure Luna was protected for the rest of her days and nights…well, she’d need a bodyguard. Someone with a very personal and vested interest in keeping that hot body of hers safe.She needs me.

Gray would have to pull off a miracle for him, though. Too many people hated Ronan Walker.

So I might just have to become someone else.For her, he would. “I love you,” Ronan said the words again. The first confession had felt rusty. Stilted. This flowed more. “I love you.” Certainty. He started to smile.

A tear slid down her cheek.

His smile died. “Luna?”

“I love you, and I don’t want you in danger.”

“I can handle danger.”

“Yes, you say that, but when I was on the island and you were gone, I kept imagining you getting shot. I imagined you dying because you were out there fighting my battles!”

There was no other battle he’d rather fight. “I’m not dying.” Not when he had a life waiting for him. “Can’t say the same about Marcus.”

Her eyes widened. “Ronan?—”

His mouth went to her ear. “James,” he rasped.

“What?”

“That’s my real name.” James Ronan Turner.

A knock on the door. “You have two minutes with Cameron!” Gray fired out. “Hurry! We’ve got to get moving! Marcus will get spooked if Luna isn’t delivered soon.”

Luna swallowed. “You’re going to be with me for this big showdown scene.”

“Every step of the way.”

Her gaze searched his. “You love me?”

“With every bit of my dark, dark heart.”

Her right hand let go of his shoulder and rose to press against his cheek. “I love you with every bit of mine, too.” She kissed him. Soft and sweet.

He kissed her. Hard. Demanding. Deep.

“Ronan!” Gray threw open the door. He glowered when he saw them, basically mouth to mouth. “Seriously?”

Yes, seriously. Always. But he let go of Luna. She rose to stand beside him. Her hands twisted. He stood and towered over her. “How many kids shall we have?”

Her eyes widened.

“Think about it. I’m good with zero, if that’s what you want. If you want twelve, I’m good with that, too.” Then, whistling, he turned away and headed for the door.

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