Page 128 of Spooked

“I will.”

Later.

I’d talk to him later.

* * *

“How’s Elsa?” Brax asked, looking up from his laptop when I ventured back into the kitchen. He’d been on the phone earlier, so Chase had driven me to the hospital.

“The surgeon said the operation went well. Physically, she should make a good recovery in time, although that leg will always be slightly shorter than the other.”

“And mentally?”

“When we get back to the US, she’ll need a good therapist.”

“I’ll ask around for recommendations.” Brax rose and walked toward me. He looked tired this evening. He’d abandoned his contacts in favour of glasses, and his eyes had lost their usual brightness. “And how are you, Indi?”

Was this it? The big discussion I’d been putting off for as long as possible?

“We should talk.”

“We should.”

Even though we’d shared a bed each night since the kidnapping, Brax had made no attempt to touch me intimately, just curled around me as we slept. I’d felt safe, protected, but he’d left me even more confused than ever as to where I stood. Now he cupped a hand around the back of my neck and kissed my forehead. No, that didn’t clear things up.

“I love you,” I blurted. Wow, that was articulate.

“But?”

“But what?”

“It feels as though there’s a ‘but’ coming.”

“But…but I’ve turned your world upside down. Your friends’ worlds too. And it won’t stop. When I return to the US, it’ll only be a matter of time before my father and brothers track me to LA.”

“I’ll hire you a bodyguard.”

Brax would really do that?

“You didn’t sign up for a girlfriend with this much baggage. And if I don’t have a ring on my finger, they’ll never leave me alone.”

“Then I’ll put a ring on your finger.”

“Exactly. It really would be best if I…” Hold on. Wait a second. “What did you just say?”

“I’ll put a ring on your finger.”

“Like a wedding ring? One that comes with a marriage certificate?”

“Therewillbe a prenup, and this time, it’ll be very much in my favour. But if a ring is what it takes to stop you from worrying, then yes, I’ll marry you.”

“But…but I thought after Carissa…”

“You’re not Carissa. And I hate the idea of losing you far more than I hate the idea of getting hitched again.” Another soft kiss, this time on my lips. “It’s your call. You deserve happiness.”

I burst into tears, but this time, they were happy ones. Brax looked horrified as he fished in his pocket for a handkerchief.

“Is the idea of being Mrs. Vale that bad?”

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