Page 86 of Merciless

“Sure did,” she says with a coy smile playing on those kissable lips.

It takes her a second but then she remembers that we were having a serious conversation and her face falls.

“Go on then. What’s this big decision?”

“I made myself a promise the day I put you in my car and drove you back into town,” I confess.

“To protect me?”

“Yes, that was part of it. The other part was when to let you go,” I say, unable to look her in the eyes as I deliver the words.

“L-let me go,” she whispers quietly.

Silence falls between us as she thinks about what I mean.

“No,” she gasps, standing so fast her chair topples over behind her, “no, Mav. No.”

“Doll, I can’t keep you hidden here for the rest of your life.”

“So don’t. I’m a big girl now. I can handle myself.”

“It’s not you that I’m worried about.”

Her shoulders fall with my words.

“If they want something then they’ll do whatever it takes to get it. Your father wants revenge, and you can bet your ass he’s going to take it.”

“So what do you suggest?”

I swallow nervously. “You leave. You name the place and I’ll make sure you get there safely with no trail.”

“Or?” She hisses, clearly not liking that suggestion very much.

“Or…” I hesitate, not really wanting to say the words.

“Mav.” She warns impatiently.

“Or I make you mine in a way they’ll appreciate and keep their hands off you.”

All the air rushes from her lungs.

“Make me yours?” she breathes. “Like…”

“Marry me,” I blurt like a fool, as I get to my feet and round the table to get closer to her. “They might be sick assholes, but a wife is only shared with her husband’s permission. And they won’t be fucking getting that.”

Her lips open and close like a goldfish, but no words spill free for the longest time.

“B-be… be your wife?”

I shrug. “It’s stupid I know but—”

“Yes,” she cries.

“What?”

“Yes. I’ll marry you. I’ll be your wife.”

“Alana. Doll. You’re going to need to think about this. It’s a huge commit—”

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