“This is who you are to me,” he says. “Not a victim. Not someone who needs saving. You’re my girl. Strong. Brave. Mine.”
My fingers dig into his shoulders as I nod, tears slipping from the corners of my eyes again—but this time, they’re not from fear. They’re from beingheld.
Loved.
By the time we fall apart together, gasping each other’s names, I feel wrung out and whole all at once.
He stays inside me for a long moment, forehead pressed to mine, his breath warm against my lips.
And when he finally pulls me into his arms again, tucking me close, his voice is low and sure.
“No matter what comes, I’ve got you, baby girl.”
I close my eyes against his chest, safe in the only place I’ve ever truly belonged.
Chapter thirty-two
Unknown
Me:It 's time. You need to grab her. Soon.
UNKNOWN:You said I’d have more time. She’s always with people now. Friends. The tattoo guy.
Me:You’re wasting opportunities. Do you want the rest of the money or not?
UNKNOWN:It’s not about the money. This wasn’t the plan. The cameras, the new locks—she’s not alone anymore. It’s risky.
Me:I didn’t ask if it was risky. I asked if you’re doing it. You’ve been watching her long enough. I held up my end. Now do yours.
UNKNOWN:She’ll scream. Someone will see.
Me:Then don’t let her scream. You’ve done worse for less. Or are you getting soft?
UNKNOWN:No. I just don’t want this blowing back on me. It’s not clean yet.
Me:I don’t need clean. I needfast.
Do it before that tattooed bastard tightens his grip on her. She was mine first.
UNKNOWN:Let me think.
Me:You’ve got 24 hours. After that, I’ll find someone else.
Me:You’re hesitating. I can feel it. That’s dangerous—for both of us.
UNKNOWN:I’m not hesitating. I’m thinking. You told me we’d do this clean, not messy and complicated.
Me:Clean changed the minutehestarted sniffing around her. You had time. Now you don’t.
UNKNOWN:She 's not stupid. She’s jumpy now. She’swatched. This isn’t the same girl you said would be easy.
Me:Don’t tell me what she is. I know her better than you ever will. I built her. Broke her. Put her back together.
She belongs to me.
UNKNOWN:Yeah? Then why does she look at him like she never looked at you?
Me:Watch your tone.
