Page 95 of Perfect Bragg

“You can’t out stubborn me on this one. I’m right.”

My hands fist. “You can’t declare you’re right and – poof! – you’re right. ”

He sighs. “I know you’re scared.”

I lean close and hiss at him. “I am not scared.”

“Darling girl, I know your history. I understand your fears.”

“You understand nothing.”

He raises his palms. “You are correct. I can’t possibly understand how it feels to lose all of my family. It was hard enough losing my dad and we weren’t very close.”

“Then, you understand why you need to leave.”

“I understand nothing of the sort.”

“I explained this. I’m responsible for the death of my family.”

He growls. “No, you are not.”

I ignore the warmth spreading through my body at his declaration. I wish he was right. I wish I wasn’t guilty. But I am.

“You deserve better than me.”

“There’s no one better than you.”

More warmth threatens to flow through my body but I stop it. I don’t deserve to feel all warm and fuzzy. “You’re wrong.”

“What about Robin?”

“What about her?”

“Aren’t you worried she deserves better?”

Every fucking second of every day. But I will not allow a drug addict to raise Amy’s child. “I’m Robin’s cousin. I love her and I’m going to protect her and make sure nothing bad ever happens to her.”

A muscle in his jaw ticks. “You better not be saying I’m a bad influence on her.” He pounds his chest. “I would do anything for our baby girl. I’d walk through fire for her. I’d harness the moon for her if she asked. Whatever she wants, she’s getting.”

I wish I could be the woman who has the privilege of raising children with Elder. He’s such a great dad. But he’s not the dad for Robin.

“You’ll make a great dad someday.” He winces. “But not to Robin.” I point to the door. “You need to go.”

He grasps my hands and draws me close until I can feel his body heat surrounding me. “Here’s what you need to understand. I’m not going anywhere. I love you. I’m not leaving. I’m staying here where I belong.”

My heart stalls in my chest. He loves me? Elder Bragg, the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, loves me.

Told you, you love him,Rebel Harmony declares.

No. No. No. No. I can’t love him. I don’t deserve him. He deserves someone better than me. Someone who can give him everything. Someone who isn’t afraid everyone she loves will die.

“How dare you?” I snarl. “How dare you claim to love me to get what you want?”

“I’m not saying I love you because I don’t want you to kick me out. I’m saying I love you because I love your stubborn ass and never want to leave.”

I push him away. “You don’t love me. You want to continue to play house with me. It’s not the same thing.”

He growls. “Don’t you dare tell me how I feel. I know what I feel for you and I won’t have you diminish my feelings because you feel unworthy or are scared.”

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