Page 145 of Oblivion

My brows drew in at the center as I tried to decipher his meaning.

A ghost of a smile tugged one corner of his mouth. “I’ve had a handful of regrets in my life, and I don’t want losing you to be one of them. Call me selfish, but I can’t let you go, even though I should.”

“Then, why are you punishing yourself? All you’re doing is punishing me in the process.”

Pain sliced through his expression, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I reached for him. Wrapped my arms around his shoulders and hugged him so tight, it was impossible to tell where I ended and he began. A relieved exhale deflated his chest as he held me, one hand cradling the back of my head while the other wove around my torso.

“I can’t explain it. Only that it feels like I need to be punished. I left the team. I deserted them when things got tough. I should have stayed and had his back. It shouldn’t have happened,” he muttered into my neck.

Forrest.

“It shouldn’t have, but it did, Dante. And you being there might not have changed the outcome. You can’t put this on yourself.”

“But I do, every fucking minute of the day.”

My heart broke for him. For his regrets and him not getting the chance to hang with his buddy one last time. It killed me that there was only a week between Forrest’s death and when Dante was meant to spend the weekend with him and the guys.

He exhaled a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry for treating you the way I have. I’m sorry for letting my bitterness over Sadie manipulate my actions, and I’m really fucking sorry for taking it out on you. I shouldn’t have yelled. If it’s any consolation, it made my migraine infinitely worse.”

A humorless snort left my nose, complementing the tears on my cheeks. I knew in my heart of hearts he was a good man, but even good people trip and stumble from time to time. I simply had to trust that he loved me as much as he said he did. That was all I could do, and hope it didn’t come back to break me irrevocably worse this time.

I looked up into Dante’s empty amber eyes. “I meant what I said earlier. I’m here for you.”

He forced a small smile. “Thank you, babe.”

“Please don’t make me regret it.”

His arms encircled me again, squeezing so hard my breasts hurt from squashing against his chest.

“Not in a million years. Not now that I have you for good.” He abruptly pulled away and held me at arm’s length, his uncertainty clear. “I do have you for good, right?”

I fought a smile. “You have me for good, if you want me.”

“Fuck, yes, I want you,” he breathed out. “For good. And I want you to come with us to Georgia.”

“Of course.”

“It’s a three day round trip, Penny. Are you sure you can take more time off work?”

I grimaced and tried to ignore the sting. “I don’t actually have a job anymore.”

Dante’s voice filled with concern. “Why? What happened?”

Shaking my head, I cut my gaze away before emotions got the better of me. “I quit. It’s a long story for another day.”

Fingers drifted over my cheek. “Don’t hold back because of me.”

“Now’s not the right time. I will. Just not today.”

He seemed to accept it, but wasn’t overly happy about being kept in the dark. The frown and pursed lips told me so.

A quick knock on the door broke us apart. Dante staggered over and opened it, squinting against the morning sun.

“Hey, Manbait. Yep, that left a shiner. How’s the head?” Jackson asked, pushing into the room.

Dante scoffed. “Like a rave that should’ve ended twelve hours ago. Thanks for helping Penny get me back here.”

His brows lifted. “Remember that, do you?”

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