Page 36 of Ranger Danger

“So, this is it?” I whisper, not bothering to fight against my tears.

“This is it, kiddo, the end of the line.” He shrugs and gives me a small smile. “God, I hate that I didn’t beat the son of a bitch earlier. You’re mine.”

“What?No, fuck you,Rafe,” I yell, pushing at his chest. He stumbles backward, furrowing his brows. “I don’t belong to anyone!” I hate him. Hate the woman I’ve become in these last days. Hate how much I love him, and how he isn’t going to fight for me to stay.

He reaches out, but I scramble up and take a step away from him.

My throat constricts as tears spill over. I need to hurt him. “You are right. I don’t love you. I could never love you.”

His jaw ticks, and he nods, not saying anything as he stands there with his hands in his pockets, shattering my heart in two.

“Thank you for saving me,twice.” I can barely make out the words as my voice cracks. I want to addfor loving me,but I can’t.

He supplies a nod. “I would do it all over again,” he says softly after a while, reaching out but pulling away at the last moment.

I bite my lip, trying to fight the burning tears. “Goodbye, Rafe.”

“Bye, kid.” A muscle slides up and down his throat while he swallows hard.

Without looking back, I get in my van. Betty settles herself on her doggie blanket, whining as I gun the engine and leave the station. Rafe is standing there with Jack at his feet. I flick my eyes to the road ahead, crying my heart out.

I cover my mouth to muffle my sob while Betty howls as I turn a corner. I can’t see anything as tears blur my vision and another corner comes into view. I skid to a halt and hit the steering wheel with my fists over and over, screaming until my throat is sore.

I sit there in the van for a while, debating what to do. I know Rafe loves me. I don’t want to travel the world, not without him. I plug in my phone and send my attorney a quick email saying I want to give back the land my grandmother bought to Rafe’s tribe. I don’t want anything in return;I only want him.

I grab my camera and flip through the pictures, smiling at a couple I shot of the dogs playing outside. I stop scrolling when the pic I took of Rafe while he was sleeping flashes on the screen while I try to ignore the throbbing pain in my chest. Staring at the ink on his back, I run my fingertips over the display.

“We are not over,” I say to myself.

Rafe’s scared he’s going to break me.

But he isn’t. He would never hurt me.

He loves me, oh my god that’s why he let me go, to protect me from himself.

“No, Rafe,” I whisper.“You’re mine.”

I place the camera on the seat next to me and throw the car in reverse, barely seeing where I’m going because of the sun and my tears. I swear when a truck comes barreling down the drive, skidding to a halt before it crashes into mine. With teary eyes, I check my rearview mirror, waiting for the guy to pass. The door opens and out jumps Jack, barking like crazy. With trembling hands, I hop out, shielding my eyes against the sun, while Betty runs to Jack.

“Kid,” Rafe yells, striding up to me.

Wiping at my runny nose, I sprint as fast as I can, slipping a couple of times in the melting snow before throwing myself into his arms. He kisses my forehead, my temple, my face while I sling my legs across his waist, wrapping my arms around his neck as I sob. Hot tears run down my cheeks while I stare into his blue eyes. “You came back for me,” I whisper, hiccupping.

“You’re mine, kid. Please stay, baby. I’m so sorry.” Kissing me again, he says, “Watching you drive away with my heart, I realized something.”

“What?”

“I love you, I fucking do,” he husks out, pushing my hair out of my eyes. “I want to be a better man. I want to build a life with you. Please stay.”

I clamp my legs around his waist, smashing my lips to his, and he growls, his tongue pushing into my mouth.

“I love you,” I say, meaning every word. “The thought of leaving here tore my heart in two.”

He looks at me with wonder in his eyes. “Say it again, honey.”

I chuckle, running my fingers through his hair. “I love you.” Tears form in my eyes.

“I can’t give you much,” he says, his deep voice hoarse.

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