Page 89 of Ruthless Redemption

“Why would it risk my safety?”

“Because I didn’t give our address to your family. They found us on their own.”

“But I thought you arranged for Stella to come here.”

“I did.” I pull her door open and help her climb inside. “Problem is, Hunter and Sarah were here before that, meaning someone at the Denver Airport needs to be taught a lesson on manners.”

She frowns as I close her door, then trek around the hood to climb in the driver’s side.

“What were they doing here?” she asks as I start the ignition.

“Checking on you. Making sure you were safe.”

“Oh.” Her mouth forms the subtlest circle. An almost shy expression of surprise.

“Your brother always cared about you. He never stopped.”

She rests back into her seat, shifting her attention out her side window to the wild shrubs bordering the side of the road. “He’s always had a funny way of showing it.”

I reach for her hand as I pull onto the road and drag her knuckles to my lips. “I want you to know I didn’t ask him to act as if you were disowned. I didn’t know he was going to go down that path until it was too late.”

“And you couldn’t tell me afterward because I would’ve run straight home.” She keeps her gaze diverted. “I get it.”

“But do you forgive me?” I turn her arm to kiss the inside of her wrist.

She doesn’t respond. I’m asking too much.

“Ignore me.” I focus on the road. “I know it’s too soon to ask.”

She sucks in a breath, letting it out gradually. “I need to take this slow. I know I’m probably giving you mixed signals, but I’m still hurting.”

“There are no mixed signals,la mia stella polare. And you don’t need to explain. I understand completely.”

She squeezes my hand. “I like the sound of that endearment more thanamore mio. What does it mean?” She shoots me a glance. “Or don’t I want to know.”

I grin, unable to stop myself from kissing her again, this time in the middle of her palm. “It means ‘my northern star.’”

She sits taller. Her chin higher. “I definitely like that one better.”

“Sei la mia stella polare. L'unico posto che chiamerò mai casa.”

“Not fair,” she drawls. “You’re trying to seduce me all over again, aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

She smiles, subtle, slow, and so fucking stunning.

“Così fottutamente bella.” I smirk at her. “Non vedo l'ora di averti sotto di me.”

She grins right back, raising her brows in challenge.

“Do you want more,mia dea?”

“What does that one mean?” She turns her body, giving me her full attention.

“My goddess. But from memory, I think your favorite isla mia piccola sporcacciona.”

Her eyes narrow in a faux glower. “I remember that one, Matthew, and I assure you, it’s not.”

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