Page 23 of Sofa King Safe

“It’s been handled,” he reassures me.“But we can stay somewhere else if you want.”

“No.”I shake my head.“This is where I want to be.”

My memory of what happened isn’t going to be fear.What Rhodes did was brave, and it showed me he’ll always come for me and keep me safe.

Rhodes leads me into the house and goes straight for the spare room.Boss comes straight out and swirls around my feet, rubbing against me in the process.I pick him up, burying my face in his fur.

“He was worried too,” Rhodes says softly.

“Thank you,” I tell him.

“Don’t thank me for that.”He takes Boss from me and carries him into the kitchen, where he gives him a bowl of wet food.

“Are you okay?”I shift on my feet, thinking something is off.

“No, I’m not okay.”Rhodes comes back to me, lifting my hands to inspect my wrist."I wish I could kill him all over again.He got it too fucking easy.It shouldn't have been quick."

"I brought him here,” I admit, and tears fill my eyes.“You could have died."

"Thank fuck you did."Rhodes cups my face, his thumbs swiping away my tears."He needed to die, and I wasmorethan happy to do it."He leans down closer.“You know why, sweetness?Because I love you, and I’ll do anything to keep you safe.Anything.”

“Rhodes,” I sniff as more tears fall.“I love you so much.”

“I know, sweetness.”He presses a kiss to my mouth.“I love you too, and so does this town.”

He’s right.The whole freaking town was worried and searching for me.I’ve never felt like I belonged anywhere before, but now I do.

“You’re home now, Quinn.No more running.”

“No more running,” I agree because I’m finally exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Epilogue

RHODES

One month later…

We’re standing in the gazebo that overlooks the lake while the town watches us make our vows.It’s a perfect, cloudless day, and my bride has never looked more beautiful.

“And do you, Quinn, take Rhodes to be…”

The officiant keeps talking, but I forget to pay attention as I stare at her ruby red lips.When they form the wordsI do,my body relaxes a tiny bit.Next thing I know, it’s my turn, and I rush the words before he’s even finished asking the question.

A few people in the audience chuckle, but when Boss meows loudly between us like he’s giving his agreement, everyone sighs like it’s the cutest thing they’ve ever seen.

Time speeds up and then slows down, but the only thing I can focus on is Quinn.How perfect she is, how lucky I am to have her, and how I can’t wait to get her alone so I can finally fuck her as my wife for the first time.

When I'm told to kiss the bride, she’s in my arms and my mouth is on hers.Quinn clings to me tightly, and I feel the tears on her cheeks against mine.Or maybe they’re mine too, because this is the happiest day of my life.

I scoop up Boss in my arms before we walk down the aisle, and then it’s time for the reception.We had white tents set up next to the gazebo, and as soon as we’re inside, the Sofa King twins take Boss from me.Surprisingly, he loves being cuddled by them, so I don’t have to worry if he’s happy.They volunteered to take care of him after the wedding while Quinn and I stand at the entrance of the tent to greet our guests.Quinn tells me if we do this first, then we can have alone time before we have to cut the cake.All I heard wasalone time, and I agreed.

“Have you met my wife, Quinn?”I ask Mrs.Betty when she walks up.

“That does have a lovely sound to it, doesn’t it?”Mrs.Betty grins at the both of us before leaning in and kissing Quinn on the cheek.

“Thank you for coming,” Quinn says.

“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Mrs.Betty says, and Mrs.Agnes moves in next to her.The rest of the Stitches are behind them.“Besides, we've been working on our fan song all week.We’ve got boots on the ground.”

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