Page 68 of The Leaving Road

I meant it when I said it.She’s. Fucking. Mine.

And I’ll risk it all, every day, every time,for her.

“Would you like some help?” Her soft voice reached my ears, and I wanted to pull her into my arms, but I was worried that once I had her there, I wouldn’t be able to stop. My feelings were raging inside me, and I didn’t want to overwhelm her or scare her. I could go slow—wouldgo slow for her—even if that thought made me grind my teeth together.

“No, that’s okay. Go inside and shower the night away. Then we can talk,” I told her firmly, leaving her no room to argue. She shot me a look I couldn’t decipher, but I was excited knowing that one day I would know all her looks, all hertells.

“I’ll help Sloan get Peaches and the puppies settled,” Lexie said from beside me, and Magnolia relented, turning to go inside.

Doc helped get some stuff inside and then made his apologies. He had to get back to the clinic to wrap up the last things before he could head home. Louise offered—well, more sotoldDoc—to go with him, and not once did he argue with her.

After getting everyone inside, we set up the living room to house Peaches and the pups for at least the next few days. It took longer than expected, but by the time we were done, Peaches and the puppies were resting comfortably, and Magnolia was still in the shower. I so badly wanted to join her in the shower, and you must have been able to tell what I was thinking because Lexie interrupted my thoughts of Magnolia, all slick and wet in the shower with bubbles on her smooth skin from her body wash…

“So, it’s like that, huh?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean, don’t play shy now, Mr. I Don’t Wait For The Police. You stormed the castle without backup. You love her,” she playfully mocked me, but her words held the truth.

“Yeah, I guess it’s like that.” I didn’t bother to deny it after the night we just had. The exhaustion of the night’s events was starting to creep in, and I wanted nothing more than to pull Magnolia in my arms and fall asleep.

“I thought so. Listen, the reason I’m giving you my blessing is because I canseehow much you care about her. I saw it written all over your face, even when you thought you were mad at her. I saw it in the way you tend to orbit her when she’s around, like she’s the center of your world. And you justprovedyourself by what you did tonight. But I swear to god, Sloan, you hurt you like you did before, and they’ll never,everbe able to find your body. Do I make myself clear?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her. I knew shethoughtshe was serious, but Lexie and her threats didn’t bother me. One, because I knew I would never hurt Magnoliaeveragain, and I’d burn the whole goddamnworlddown if someone tried to hurt her or take her from me.

“Lexie, you couldn’t hurt a fly.”

She shrugged, unbothered by her truth. “MaybeIcouldn’t,but I know people.”

“You know people? Met many people I need to be afraid of in Iowa?” I teased her.

She scoffed at me, “You’ve clearly never met a pissed off pig farmer, but no, not Iowa. I used to do a fair bit of work in New York.”

“New York, huh?”

“Yeah, New York.” She pointed at me. “And let’s just say I have a connection of sorts.”

“Okay, Lexie, whatever you say.”

“I do! Her name is Collette, and you betterprayI never use the number she gave me. She owes me a favor.”

“Lexie, you never have to worry about me hurting Magnolia again. Ever.” My eyes met hers and she saw the truth in them.

“Okay, big guy, I believe you. I’m headed to bed; try not to keep me up all night, yeah?” she said in a yawn as she floated out of the room.

And now I was wondering if I should go upstairs to find Magnolia.

Chapter 43

Magnolia

My fingers had started to prune, and I knew I had been in the shower for longer than I should have. I was quiet on the way home, and I was quiet as Lexie held me and scolded me. My mind was running in fifty different directions—half reliving what actually happened, the other firmly planted in thewhat if.

What if Sloan hadn’t come? What if Sloan had been shot. What if… What if…

The once scalding water had slowly slipped to room temperature, and I knew I needed to wrap it up. Letting out a sigh, I turned the water off and grabbed a towel and stepped out. I stood facing the mirror, and my hands shook as I wiped off the condensation that had built up over the course of my shower. My reflection stared back at me; my skin looked eerily pale among the dark purple welts that littered across my neck. The more time that passed gave them time to really settle in, and it was just a reminder of whatcouldhave happened.

I couldn’t seem to tear my gaze away from the marks. I almost wanted to commit them to memory so I’d never forget what could have happened, how close it all came to ending. My body started to shake, not at the thought of what almost happened to me, but at what almost happened to Sloan because ofme.Because I didn’t listen, because I couldn’t wait. I did my best to choke back the sob that settled in my throat, but it was no use, my emotions were frayed and I was teetering on an emotional breakdown. I stared at the bruises as the tears ran down my cheeks, unable to turn away.

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