Page 102 of Ruger's Rage

"Viper's been as played as we have. He’s not a threat. After this shit is done, he and I will have a chat about an alliance… but post extra guards out front anyway. Prospects will man the gate while we’re in church."

He nods, already moving to carry out orders.

I find Tildie in our apartment, standing under the shower spray fully clothed, watching dirt and blood swirl down the drain.

Stepping into the bathroom, I strip off my cut and shirt, joining her under the hot water.

She doesn't resist when I peel off her soaked clothes, doesn't speak as I gently wash away the evidence of tonight's violence.

"You're okay," I murmur, more to myself than to her. "You're safe now."

"Am I?" Her voice sounds hollow. "Marco found me. Again. He'll just keep coming, Ruger."

"Not after tonight." I cup her face, forcing her to meet my eyes. "This ends now."

Something shifts in her expression. "Yes, it does."

She pulls me down for a kiss that's all teeth and need, her nails digging into my shoulders, practically slicing my skin.

I lift her against the shower wall, her legs wrapping around my waist as water cascades over us both.

There's no time for gentleness, no space for anything but this raw, primal need to feel alive after coming so close to death.

"Please," she gasps against my mouth. "I need you. Now."

I push into her in one hard thrust, swallowing her cry with another punishing kiss.

Her body yields to mine, tight and perfect as she clings to me like I'm her only anchor in a storm.

We move together with desperation, chasing that dive over the edge like it's salvation.

Her head falls back against the tiles, exposing the long line of her throat as she arches into each thrust.

"Mine," I growl, marking her neck with my teeth. "No one takes you from me. No one."

"Yours," she agrees, her inner walls clenching around me as she shatters. "Only yours."

Her release triggers my own, pleasure crashing through me.

I hold her against me as we both come down, our ragged breathing echoing in the small space.

When I finally set her down, her legs trembling, she looks up at me with clear eyes for the first time since the cabin.

"I love you," she says simply, the words hanging between us.

My heart damn near stops. "Say that again."

"I love you, Ryan Callahan." Her voice grows stronger. "I don't know when it happened, but I do."

I pull her against my chest, crushing her to me. "I love you too, darlin'. More than anything."

We finish showering in silence, but it's different now—calmer, centered.

The raw edge of panic has faded, replaced by something else.

The two of us put fresh clothes on and try to relax a little bit before we head into church.

When we enter the church almost an hour later, every eye tracks our movement—Tildie's hand rests in mine, her head held high.

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