Page 111 of Cruel Vows

“I don’t always do the opposite.”

“I’d like to know one time when it’s not been a life-or-death situation and you’ve actually listened to me,” he says, tone teasing as he takes the books over to the open suitcase and deposits them in the right half.

My stomach twists in butterflies as he reaches for my crutches, fingertips brushing against mine. “You’re the one who made me stay in this damn place. I listened then.”

He pauses for a moment before taking the crutches and looping an arm around my waist to haul me over to the leather chair in the corner.

“Sit down and stay out of my way.”

“And would you look at that, I just listened to you again.” I smirk as I sit, crossing my arms over my chest.

With a snort, he leans the crutches against the wall and gets to work packing the rest of my belongings. “If you’re going to be a smart-ass, I might just let you hobble home.”

“Sounds like it could be a good time.” I twist my leg, looking down at the cast. “I can’t wait until this thing comes off and I can go back to work.”

“You’re not going back to work until your leg is fully healed. I already spoke to your boss about it and everyone is on the same page.”

My eyes narrow as I cross my arms. “Why do you still think you get to dictate my life?”

Sean drags my clothing out of the little white closet near the window and stuffs it into the suitcase before leaning in to kiss me. “Because I love you and I’m not going to have you go backto work too early, only to hurt yourself some more. We’ve been through too much to risk that.”

“There’s still more we’re going to have to worry about.”

He loops a strand of my hair around his finger and gives it a light tug. “I came too close to losing you once, Ellie. I’m not going to be taking any more risks with your life.”

“So, you’re not going to hunt down Noah and kill him, then?”

I fight to keep the corner of my mouth from twitching when he glowers at me.

Even though we’re in a much different place than we were at the start of our marriage, there’s still a lot of growing we need to do.

I love him, though, and he loves me.

Sean zips up the suitcase and puts it on the floor, pulling out the handle. “Ready to go home?”

Grabbing my crutches, I get up and nod.

“Take me home.”

It takes lessthan an hour for us to get home and for Sean to have me settled in bed, the silk sheets feeling like heaven against my skin after the rough hospital ones I had to endure for the last few weeks.

He moves around the room, dumping my clothing into the laundry basket in the closet before dropping into the bed beside me. “How are you doing?”

“I wish that I didn’t have a massive cast on.” I take his hand, looping my fingers with his as butterflies rapidly beat their wings against the sides of my stomach. “I missed you.”

“Those are words I didn’t think I would ever hear you say.” He pulls me closer to him, his hand tightening around mine.

My gaze drops to the puckered skin of his brand. It’s healing well, but it’s going to be weeks before the skin looks less angry.

“I’m sorry I had to do that.”

“I’m not.” He kisses the back of my hand. “We’re alive right now because you did what you needed to, even if it was hell to get through. I love you more for it.”

“I don’t think anyone has ever said they love someone more after being burned by them.”

Tears leak out of the corners of my eyes, rolling down my cheeks.

Though I’ve had weeks to think about everything that happened, letting it haunt my nightmares and linger in the back of my mind, it feels like we’re still trapped in that warehouse.

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