Page 41 of Divine II

“Then why is this shit so hard? I thought once the guy saved the princess they live happily ever after. I just keep having to slay dragons.”

“Maybe that’s our story, Lee Lee. Everything in life has always been so easy for me. Everything has been laid at my feet, except love. One day, I realized that was the one thing I would have to fight for. I never knew if it would be worth the fight in the end, but now, I do.”

“I love you, Divine. I swear I’ll do anything to fix this.”

“I’m already doing anything in the world to fix it. They were threatening to kill you, Liam. Do you know how scared I was when they told me there were people out there who wanted you dead?”

“The same way I felt when a nigga was threatening you. What I don’t understand is how Whitmore got involved.”

“Zane is Sherrod’s cousin. He was funneling a lot of money into their business. The family put a bounty on your head, mine too probably. Bishop wouldn’t tell me for sure. All I know is he talked them down by brokering this deal. You know he’s always wheeling and dealing. All I want to do is buy them some time, Lee Lee. If I have to pretend to be involved with Zane and still keep the man I love in my life, then I’m willing to do it. I just need you to be on board too.”

Eleven

Divine

I giggled like a little girl when Liam pulled me back down into the pool with him. I loved seeing him so lighthearted and free in the midst of everything going on. I needed more than anything for him to understand that I loved him and only him.

I was pretty sure that he was the only man that I would ever love. He saw me when I didn’t even want to be seen. He saw parts of me that I wanted to hide. I think I saw the same in him. I was oddly turned on by the dark side of the man I’d once deemed perfect.

Knowing that he’d killed a man in my honor both fascinated and terrified me. It was Liam. I knew he would never do anything to hurt me in a million years. At the same time, knowing that he was willing to kill for me did something to me. Seeing the lengths that Liam would go to for me only made me love him more. I was sure that he thought revealing something so horrific would push me away but somehow it didn’t.

Yes, he was my bodyguard. I always knew his job was to protect me, but if I was being honest, I never expected any ofthem to have to or even be willing to kill someone when and if it came down to it.

I knew my brothers wouldn’t hesitate to end someone for even looking like they meant me any harm. Liam wasn’t family, though. He wasn’t bound to me by blood. He wasn’t obligated to put his life on the line for me no matter what Syre was paying him to do. His devotion to me was something spawn from the love he’d carefully cultivated like a garden.

My baby was a gardener, and now, I could see how he’d pruned away all the inhibitions I had when it came to loving him with my whole heart. I cupped his face and kissed his lips as he walked up the steps to carry me out of the pool.

I was always in awe of Liam’s naked body. He was so long and athletic that it made my pussy thump, even though I was sure she couldn’t take anymore of him right now. I held onto him, hoping to have moments like this forever. Now, I knew why Syre had suddenly learned how to act just a little bit. Real love made you want to be better and do better.

I would do anything to hold on to what Liam and I had. I knew he felt the same. He stooped to pick up his clothes from the ground but didn’t put me down until we were inside the house. He dropped a kiss on my forehead, making me frown.

“Go ahead and take a shower. I need to go home and get some clothes for my shift tonight,” he revealed while he put his boxers and shorts back on simultaneously.

“You’re leaving? I just got you back, Lee Lee.” My brows shot up. Part of me was excited that he was back on duty, but the rest was disappointed that he was leaving.

“Just for a little bit, Cookie. I need to change clothes and grab a few things.”

“So, I won’t see you until eight tonight?” I pouted.

“I promise I’m coming right back, baby. We’re not done. You know I can’t leave you like this.”

“Like what? Sated and floating on cloud nine?” I grinned. “Stay, Liam.”

“I need clean clothes, D. You know I’m not ready to leave you. I figured by the time you shower, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get settled in I’ll be on my way back.”

“I miss you already.”

“I miss you too, pretty girl. Don’t worry. I promise I’ll be right back. I don’t think we’re done talking anyway.”

“Hurry back, Liam.”

“I will. Lock this door,” he said, dropping a kiss on my cheek before leaving through the back door.

As instructed, I headed straight to the bathroom to take a shower and prepare myself for a night with my Lee Lee. I didn’t know how many more days and nights like this we would have, but I planned to make the best of each and every one.

Liam kept his promise, and by the time I had showered and made dinner for us, he was walking in my front door. He rarely ever let himself in, but he knew I was expecting him. I had to restrain myself from running around the counter where I was putting the finishing touches on our meal. A quick beef and broccoli stir fry over white rice was perfect right now.

“What you doing, Cookie?”

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