Page 28 of Broken

“Damon, I don’t know. I can’t go back to the life you expect me to live. Granted, I’m sure I can comprise on some things but most things are a hard pass for me.”

“Kara, if you are willing to compromise, I am, too. I’ll do it for you. Only you. As much as I like getting my way, I’ve changed a lot and worked on myself as well. A lot about me stems from my childhood. We can get into that later. But with you, I can see a future. Our future. Please, Kara.”

I grinned wide. “Olivia, pack your bags. We’re moving to the big house.”

“The big house?” she questioned.

“Damon’s house.”

Damon smiled wide. “Our house.”

“Oh okay,” she said with a smile.

“Besides, I think Matteo might have a little crush,” Damon whispered.

“I think he does, too. Look. Nothing else changes. I’m still going to work. I still need that independence.”

“I don’t want you to change.” Damon kissed my head. “I fancy this woman you have become.”

“Really?” I weaved my arm through his.

“Really. I love you so much it hurts, Kara.”

“I love you, too, Damon.” I kissed his lips.

“I’ll let you pack and come pick you up tomorrow morning.”

“Matteo can just drop us off,” I suggested, saving Damon a trip.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Just be home when I get there.”

“I will. I’ll move some things around.”

“Let me walk you out,” I suggested.

Surprisingly, this was the happiest I had ever felt. There was so much uncertainty ahead of us. Becoming a loving couple, becoming parents, and just fucking becoming what was our normal.

Talking to Damon about what happened felt cathartic. I didn’t have to burden myself with everything. And he still loved me after everything I went through. He was even taking the initiative toward Olivia. It was an overwhelming relief for me. I was ready to give myself to Damon. I was ready. But I still required the independence I had. That wouldn’t change. It took a bit to realize how much I loved Damon. It wasn’t because he had money or a big house. It was because he risked his life to save me. And deep down, I knew he would do it a thousand times over just to have me back. How could I say no to a man like that?

I knew once we took this next step, there was no going back.

Chapter Seventeen

KARA

I was all packed and ready to head back to the house and start my life with Damon.

“You both ready?” Matteo asked Olivia and me.

“We’re ready,” I said.

Last night, I was too excited to sleep and Olivia and I stayed up talking until we eventually fell asleep. Olivia was nervous heading to a new place but I told her nothing would be any different. She would still get her own room. Now I noticed the looks she and Matteo shared. And I also knew she was hesitant because of the situation she was in, being pregnant, and not knowing what the future held for her and the baby.

I shared a smile with Olivia as we headed out the door. Both of us being pregnant, Matteo refused to let us carry our bags down to the SUV.

As we loaded ourselves into the vehicle, my heart was beating fast knowing I would be with Damon shortly. I turned to Olivia. “You know all those women and girls that were in Jose’s basement, the ones that hadn’t been put up for auction yet?”

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