Page 150 of Their Greatest Strength

“Don’t—”

“No. You don’t. Not yet. I’ve been telling you for weeks that you’re my wife. I told you that I love you, and I don’t take that lightly. My parents have been married for nearly thirty years, and I’ve always known that when I find my person, I’m going to take after their example.

“My love doesn’t come with strings. There are no conditions in this relationship. I want to be your safe place, the person you know won’t ever run, no matter what. We don’t have secrets, and we don’t self-sacrifice for one another. You can have my family, my name, everything I’ve ever had and will ever find. Do you get it now?”

Wonder streaks through her gaze as she slowly nods and reaches up to hold both of my wrists, her thumbs stroking my pulse.

“I love you, Jamie Bateman,” she declares, a smile forming on her pretty pink lips. “I’m sorry it took me so long to catch up.”

“I’d have waited years.”

“It won’t last. Once the truth comes out, he’ll leave, Blakely. Be smart,” her mom snarks behind me.

I distract my wife, bringing our mouths together in a gentle caress. A soft sigh escapes her while she squeezes my wrists.

I steal a second kiss before pulling my hands away from her face and linking our fingers together instead. It’s an anchor for the both of us but also a promise that I meant what I said. I’m not going anywhere, regardless of what comes next.

When I turn around, Blakely’s mom is watching from a few feet away. The security guard lingers closer now, watching me like he’s ready to take the woman away from here. I’m not ready for her to go quite yet.

“You should have come to me instead of Blakely,” I tell her mom. “I’d have done anything to keep you out of my wife’s life. Including giving you your money. I probably would have given you more than what you needed to keep her safe from you. Now, though? You get nothing.”

She glares at me before flicking her eyes to where her daughter stands at my side. “You won’t feel that way when I tell everyone that you’ve been lying.”

I wet my lips and flash a crooked grin. “Do you really think anyone will believe you? Without any proof? You can try it, but I’m not concerned. There’s always someone trying to break a story for a quick buck. You won’t be anyone memorable.”

I’d never have expected Blakely to share my confidence. Not with her back up against the wall and fear driving her decisions. Though I do wish that she would have brought this to me the night her mom showed up at Nate’s game or last night when she was upset. I could have saved her a lot of stress and worry.

I’m not shocked in the slightest that she considered taking the money to pay her mom off so she wouldn’t talk. My Blakelywould rather be miserable for the rest of her life than see someone she cares about struggle.

At least we’ll have time to talk about everything that’s happened once her mom is dealt with.

“I’m taking my wife home now. So, if you’ll excuse us,” I say, tugging at Blakely’s hand.

Her mom reaches for us, but Jake is there in a flash, smacking her hand out of the way.

“I told you if you came here again that I’d call the authorities,” he says bluntly.

“Don’t bother, Jake. She’s leaving.” I keep my wife tucked into my side, not wanting even an inch of space between us after waking up without her. Her mom has frozen in place when I shift my gaze toward her. “The Pythons have a legal team that I wouldn’t suggest pissing off. If you come near my family again, a public jail cell is going to be the least of your problems. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what you decide to do next.”

I give Blakely the opportunity to add anything, but she simply glides an arm across my front and holds me, staring in the direction of the parking lot.

It’s good enough for me.

Now, it’ll be just us. And I’m not letting her out of my arms again until I know every single thought in her beautiful head.

44

BLAKELY

“I’m sorry,”I mutter, embarrassed beyond belief at this entire situation.

Jamie smooths his hand over my knee and glances at me over the centre console. “I don’t want you to be sorry.”

“I should have done things differently.”

“What would you have changed?”

Heaving a sigh, I rub at my forehead. We’ve finally gotten out of traffic, but we’re still too far from home. I hate not being closer to him. Our conversation feels too important to be having it in the car. I need to be outside. Somewhere we can be face to face.

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