Page 46 of Savage Truth

“She’s incomparable.”

Ronan grunted and released my shoulder. Something settled in me, knowing that she also had him in her corner. Ronan, Damon, Phoenix, and Shane surrounded my sides and back, protecting her as we made our way off the mountain.

The blood and slight weight of her filled me with terror. I needed to see her eyes open and have her give me hell about being carried. I could feel the movement of her chest as she drew shallow breaths, and the enormity of my feelings for her almost took me out at the knees. I would go to any length to keep Riley safe. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for her. And I knew without a doubt that we would belong to each other one day.

CHAPTER THIRTY

RILEY

Mom eased onto the bed Tuesday night, careful not to jar me. “How are you feeling?”

I’d only been in the hospital for one night—it wasn’t as if I’d died. “I’m fine.” I tossed the ice pack from my chilled hand to the floor then slipped it under the luxurious white duvet.

She snorted. “Fine is never a good thing.” She brushed my hair from my face. “Tell me how you’re really doing.”

“Everything hurts, but it’s temporary.” I fought against my eyelids closing. The lighting was dim in my room, tempting me to pass out again. “I’m just tired.”

“I get it. Healing is a journey.”

If anyone understood going a round in the ring with Nick, it was Mom. I didn’t need to sugarcoat or make anything up. It was also just nice to have her in my room, where we could talk. I just wished I wasn’t so tired. “Very profound, Mom.” I laughed as she rolled her eyes.

“You know why I did what I did with Lucas, right?”

I scooted up so my back was against the headboard, and she shifted to face me. “What? With moving in here? You explained all that… a little late.” I scowled at her. “You could have filled me in the first night we moved here.”

She pursed her lips. “I could’ve. But Lucas and I were ironing out a few things between us.”

“Marriage? That’s what you guys were fighting about in the kitchen when Cole and I walked in.”

“It was, but that wasn’t the only thing. I’d finally told him everything. About my parents, the Mafia connections, your uncle… None of it mattered to him. He was stubborn, and I was afraid for him—for all of us.”

“Then why didn’t we leave? I tried to get you to. Nick could’ve killed them. He came close with Cole.”

She shuddered. “I am foolish and very in love. Lucas was so persuasive. He’d hired security that was secretly keeping an eye on everyone.”

It was my turn to snort. “Lot of good that did.”

“Yeah. I don’t think they quite understood the lengths Nick would go to get at both of us.”

“Back to the ‘in love’ part. What did you decide about marrying him?”

Light danced in Mom’s eyes, and I had my answer before she uttered a word. “How do you feel about it? Because your opinion means the world to me, Riles.”

I wanted to roll my eyes because it hadn’t mattered much when I wanted to leave. But I also got it, mostly because of how I felt about Cole. I was so drawn to him that leaving would’ve felt like cutting off a limb. Mom had loved Lucas from afar for so many years, and I would never deny her any amount of happiness. “I say do it. And on the plus side, no more cons.” I winked at her.

A soft smile curved her lips. “It was fun, though. We were damn good at it.”

“Of course we were. Look where we come from.”

“How do you feel about having Lucas as a stepdad?”

“Weird. He’ll always be Cole’s dad to me. I won’t see him any other way, even after you marry him.”

“But you’re good with it? Because if you aren’t, Riles, I don’t have to marry him. You’re my life and always come first.”

I squeezed her hand. “I’m good with it. Marry the guy and get your happy ever after.”

She scooted forward and wrapped me carefully in her arms. The pain wasn’t as bad as everyone thought, but Nick taking me had scared ten years off their lives, from what Mom had said. My uncle had just waded in, guns a-blazing. Mom and I were lucky to have him in our lives.

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