Page 90 of Ruthless Redemption

I keep smirking. Keep holding her hand. Keep thanking my lucky fucking stars as I drive us toward the place where I plan to spend hours cherishing her.

“Tell me more about the terms you agreed to with Cole.” She leans her cheek against the edge of the seat. “What did he ask of you?”

“Does it matter?”

“I guess not. But I’d like to know exactly what you were willing to risk.”

“And if the terms weren’t generous enough? What then?”

“Somehow, I don’t think that was the case.” Her gaze narrows, her appraisal gentle. “What was it? What were the exact terms?”

“We didn’t have any. As far as I was concerned, it was all or nothing.”

Her brow furrows, her confusion potent. “And there’s really nothing else you want from me? No insider knowledge or Torian family secrets?”

“There’s only ever been you. I don’t need anything else in my life.”

“But you wouldn’t have had a life if Cole got his way. How could you risk your future like that?”

I focus on the road, slowly kissing her knuckles, her wrist, her palm. “Because you are my future, Layla. I hope I can prove that to you one day.”

She releases a heavy breath as I kiss her again and again. Lazy, lethargic worship. Quiet and content affection.

“And nothing has changed with our agreement on Emmanuel?” she asks. “We’re still on the same page?”

“Always. The particulars haven’t changed. Your safety remains my priority, with his death being the goal.”

“I don’t think I can wait much longer. I’ve been striving for this outcome for two years, and I’m more tired than I’ve ever been. I need it to be over.”

“Then let me do it on my own.” I meet her gaze. “I can leave this afternoon. He’ll be dead by morning.”

She swallows. Bites her lip.

I can’t tell if her hesitation is because she still doesn’t trust me, or because she’s battling with her desire to concede.

“You’d never have to worry about him again.” I turn my attention back to the road. “And I wouldn’t have to risk your safety.”

“But you’d risk my sanity.” She drags her arm away but latches her hand around mine to take it with her. She mimics my affection, kissing my knuckles, my wrist, my palm. “I’d go insane worrying about you. I need to be there to make sure you’re okay.”

“Then we do it together. We just need to do it right.” I turn onto the road leading to the beach house. “Two more days should be enough. In the meantime, I want you to rest. Relax. Andeat. Don’t think it hasn’t skipped my attention that you haven’t been looking after yourself.”

“Heartbreak doesn’t make for a healthy appetite.”

I stifle a wince. “Well, there’s no more heartbreak now. I promise to keep you fed and rested. In fact, I don’t think I’ll let you leave the bed.”

Her chuckle is breathy. “How selfless of you.”

“I can be extremely generous.”

“And single-minded,” she adds.

“Always. There’s only you,mia dea. That’s all there is.”

Her smile turns solemn as she diverts her attention back to the road. She’s still not all in, and that’s okay. I can’t expect her to get to my level of obsession within minutes of reconciling.

But she’ll get there.

I’ll make sure of it.

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