Page 294 of The Tempted

Chapter Thirty-Seven

I could stare at her for the rest of my life and it still wouldn’t be enough. I could hold her in my arms until death called me home, and they’d still feel empty. I sounded like a pussy but it was true.

I’ve always felt out of control, a man not in charge of his life because of his illness but she’s healed me. I’ll always fight with my maker, always be a manic-depressive but I don’t have to fight those battles alone. Lacey won’t have to wonder if her dad will come back from his latest episode because I will always drag myself away from the darkness.

I’ve got sunshine now.

“Good morning, beautiful,” I whispered, as I wrapped a strand of hair around my finger and stared into her groggy eyes.

“Mmm,” she murmured, stretching her body. “Morning.”

I let the hair fall from my finger and took her hands in mine, glancing down at the bruises fading from her wrists and kissed where the ties marked her skin. I placed her arms around my neck and dragged her warm body over mine and stared up into her eyes.

That first glimpse of those eyes, after I asked her for a slice of pie, I recognized the pain and sadness reflected in them. I knew some of her story but not all of her scars.

You want more from me? You want my scars? You got to earn them.

Her eyes weren’t sad anymore and somehow, someway I earned those scars. With each one she gave me, I gave her one of my own.

Thirty-eight years old and I finally found my home. To think I almost lost her after waiting so long to find her. I remember pulling up to the café on 18thAvenue and fearing they wouldn’t be there. I questioned every move I made that led me to that point and was so frightened that I had made an error somewhere. I’d never forgive myself, not this time, not ever.

Riggs must’ve sensed my apprehension because after I broke down the door he walked in first to assess the situation. I never thought that hearing Riggs confirm Blackie was barely alive would be the words I so desperately needed to hear. They were there and they were alive.

The kid I underestimated sprang into action and went to work on saving our vice president. And me? I got the girl. I never wanted to be anyone’s hero until that moment. I removed the gag from her mouth first, watched as she took that first greedy breath through her mouth and felt my heart pound inside my chest.

She looked so frail and it became clear how close I came to losing her. She would not have lasted much longer and neither would have Blackie.

I had to remind myself that the son of bitch who did this to them would pay. That there was no need for me to seek revenge. It was mine already, and I had taken it.

I reached around her head and untied the blindfold that covered her eyes and held my breath until those sad eyes found mine.

Home.

“You,” she said, her voice raspy and the word barely a whisper.

“Me,” I promised.

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