Falcon finished chewing the last bite and set the fork down. He stared at me, tilting his head with a smirk tugging at his lips. “Trying to change the subject?”
“Maybe.” More like trying to protect us both. I killed one of Anton’s men. That couldn’t go unpunished. If there was a target on my back, then I couldn’t allow myself to soften at Falcon’s words no matter how much I wanted to go back to the clubhouse with him.
He sighed, reaching for my coffee. “It went fine. He was understanding about that incident in the park,” Falcon paused. I opened my mouth to speak, but he continued. “He was actually impressed with how you looked out for our son. So there’s no comeback over that. Anyway, Anton was furious when he learned that St. John wanted his final revenge to be killing TJ.” His jaw clenched, evidence he was still angry about that. “He handed him over to me as a gift.”
“A gift?” The words stuttered out of me.
“Yeah,” he grinned, nodding slowly as he watched me, searching for my reaction. “He gave him to me and I handled it. Permanently.”
I should have been horrified. I should have felt anything but the relief that washed over me. James would never be a threat to me or my family again. He could no longer wreak havoc on Falcon’s life or his MC. “Thank you.” I reached out to touch him and pulled my hand back at the last minute.
Falcon reached for my hand, sandwiching it between us. “It was for all of us. I knew you wouldn’t rest peacefully until he was no longer a threat.”
My heart was already softening, but the fear was still there. After years of running I wasn’t sure I could ever feel normal again.
“Now back to what I realized.” He flashed a triumphant smile as if he could read my mind. “I love you, Viv.”
My lips pressed together before I could shout that I loved him too. “You said that already,” I replied instead.
“I know.” He pushed the small plate to the side and leaned his forearms on the table. “But now I’m saying it to you. For real. To your face. With my whole fucking heart, Viv. I love you.” His grip tightened on my hand as if he knew I was on the verge of running. “I’m in love with you and I’m not letting you get away.”
Tears stung the backs of my eyes. I tried to free my hand, but he held them tight. Gentle yet firm. “You don’t have to say that,” I whispered, barely able to hold back the threatening tears.
“I know I don’t. I’m not saying it because Ihaveto.” His voice softened, low enough so that only I could hear them. “I’m saying it because… fuck because it’s the truth. I’ve never let anyone take care of me the way you did. Never let myself depend on anyone like that. And I’ve never felt the kind of fear I did when you left me. Twice. Hell, three times if you count the first time.” He flashed a faint, almost broken smile.
“Falcon,” I whispered and placed my other hand on top of his.
“I thought maybe it was just because we got along so well. I tried to convince myself it was just because things were so fucking easy between us. But lying in bed with you and TJ? Fuck,Viv, I saw it all laid out in front of me—the life we could have together. It was fucking beautiful, you know?”
I nodded. “I’ve seen it too.”
Something flashed in his eyes and he held my hands tighter. “We could have that, Viv. If the woman I love would just stop fucking running off at the first signs of any trouble.”
His words slammed against me like a fist. My heart stopped completely and the air around us vibrated with uncertainty. “You mean that?”
He nodded without hesitation, his gaze dark and certain. “Every goddamn word, Viv.”
I blinked, the tears now spilling freely down my cheeks. “I know you said the words, Falcon, but I never even considered—”
“That I could love you,” he finished before I could.
I nodded weakly, turning away in shame.
“Look at me Viv.” When I met his gaze, his expression softened. “I love you and I am not letting you go. Not again.” His words held an intense promise that shook me to my core. “You leave one more time and Iwillfind you. No matter where you go, me and TJ, we’ll find you and bring you back home. Where you belong.”
A choked laugh came out, ugly and wet with tears. “You sound awfully sure of yourself.” My heart pounded again, this time it was an excited pounding.
Falcon stood, sliding from his side of the booth to mine. His arm wrapped around my waist, the other hand cupping my face gently as his thumb brushed away a tear. “Iamsure,”he whispered, pressing his forehead against mine. “No more running, Viv.”
My eyes closed and a sob escaped, but I nodded. “No more running.”
“Babe.” His lips were on mine, smiling at first before he stole a kiss that recaptured my heart all over again.
This man was it for me and I knew it. I could, I could hide, I could fight it until my dying breath and that would still be true. The only thing it would do was steal time we could have together. Loving each other.
“I love you,” I whispered against his mouth when we broke apart. “I love you, Falcon.”
“I love you too, so fucking much. Now let me take you home.”
