Brianna inhaled sharply then nodded. Fury exploded in my chest, and I had to clench my fists, trying to quell the beast inside me. He was a fucking dead man. I didn’t care about the consequences; I only listened to the bloodlust racing through my mind, obliterating any other thoughts. Brianna’s hand snaked up, pressing into my cheek.
“I’m okay, Damien.”
“You’re not okay,” I whispered. “He put his hands on you. I’m going to fucking kill him.”
Brianna shuddered against me. “Don’t. He’s not worth it.”
“It is to me. No one hurts you and gets away with it.” Taking her hand, I kissed her knuckles before placing it back at her side. I turned, already plotting out a map in my mind, but before I pulled the car door open, Brianna slid in front of me. Her fingertips directed my eyes back down to meet hers.
“Don’t leave me, Damien.” Her hands shook as she clung to my shirt. Letting go of the door handle, I surged forward, holding her tight against me. Sweet relief doused some of the anger, happy to have her safe in my arms. Brianna nestled against me, her fingers digging in as if I’d take off if she loosened them. She glanced up, her hazel eyes filled with so much adoration. “He’s being dealt with. Right now, I need you, Damien. Please, stay here with me.”
“Always,” I sighed, leaning forward to run my lips over her forehead. “Tell me you’re okay.”
“I am now,” Brianna sighed.
We held each other for a long moment, not needing any words to pass between us. I didn’t want to think too much about why she’d come here, why she’d sought me out duringone of the scariest moments of her life, but a small tendril of hope grew anyway, hoping that meant she was ready to try again. I ran my hands down her back, but I suddenly stopped when they met the raised number along her spine. My eyes widened as I leaned back, taking in her shirt. My jersey.
As if she read the question in my eyes, Brianna let out a watery chuckle. “Before Todd stopped me, I was coming here. I needed to talk to you.”
I swallowed, trying to temper the anxiety swirling inside me. “Why?”
“Even before everything happened, I made a choice. About us. But tonight showed me that anything could happen, and I don’t want to waste another moment living in fear.” Her striking eyes met mine, and the breath rushed out of my lungs. “I love you, Damien, and I’m so sorry for fighting it for so long. Truth be told, you terrify me. You have since the moment we collided in Dallas. Inside, I knew—knew that if I let you into my heart, you’d never let me go. I’m done being afraid, done second guessing us. So if you’ll have me, I’m all yours. I’ve always been yours, Damien.”
Joy like I’d never known rushed through my veins, pushing out all the rage and anger. I ran the back of my fingers along her cheek. “You love me, angel?”
Tears clung to the corners of her eyes as she nodded. “More than anything. You’re the best man I’ve ever known, and I’m sorry I lost sight of that for a while. But if you’ll still have me, I want to be with you.”
“You never lost me.”
I pulled her against my chest, needing to hold her to believe this was real. For weeks, I’d dreamt ofthis moment, to hear those precious words fall from Brianna’s lips. While I wanted to give her as much time as she needed, there was a small part of me that feared she’d never get there, that she’d never be able to forgive me for doubting us—doubting her—after I got injured.
“Tell me again.”
Brianna smiled up at me. “Damien Ramos, I love you. I am hopelessly, wonderfully in love with you, and if you’re willing to put up with my flaws, I’ll be yours as long as you’ll have me.”
“I love your flaws, Brianna Sideris. I love you when you’re stubborn, when you’re overthinking everything, and everything in between.” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “I love every part of you, angel. There’s no one else in this world I want to spend my life with.”
“I like the sound of that.”
Despite my insistencethat Brianna should get checked out by a doctor, she refused, only wanting to be with me right now. Maybe I should have fought her harder, but truth be told, I wanted to be alone with her just as much. We came straight back to my apartment from the stadium, and I led Brianna upstairs. Once she walked inside, peace clicked inside my chest. When she was gone, this place lost the comfort I’d spent so long curating. Now that she was back, it returned as if it had been waiting for her, just like me.
She glanced at the couch, then frowned at me. “Is it okay if I take a shower? I can still feel?—”
Her words cut off, but I picked up on her meaning. She wanted to wash the night off her, erase everyplace Todd had touched her without her permission. I nodded. “Make yourself at home, angel. Whatever you need; you don’t have to ask.”
Brianna gave me a grateful smile as she walked through my home and into the bedroom. As she disappeared behind the door, my hand flexed, wanting to go in there and claim her, to show my love with my mouth, my tongue, and every other part of me. But Brianna had been through too much tonight, and I wouldn’t push, letting her guide our pace. Until she was ready, I’d be here in every other way possible.
Realizing she was probably hungry, I pulled out my phone, going through different delivery options. But before I could get too far, Brianna called out, “What did you do?”
I smirked, walking through the primary bedroom and into the bathroom. Brianna stood in the middle of the room, gaping at the newest addition. She whipped her head around, her eyes wide with surprise. “When did you get a clawfoot tub?”
“About a week ago.” I stepped forward to lead her closer to it. Taking her hand, I ran it over the surface. The tub had been a bitch to install, especially because I only gave the crew a couple days to get it done. Luckily, I’d made great money throughout my career, and I couldn’t think of a better use of it than by giving Brianna everything she ever wanted. “I remember you saying you always wanted one.”
Her mouth dropped open, and her words came out stuttered. “Wh—what? How? I mentioned that months ago. You remembered?”
I shifted closer to her, running my fingers along her back. She shivered under my touch, and I couldn’t help but smile. “I’ve had a lot of time to think over the past month, replayed all our conversations, especially about whatyou’ve always wanted. Might not be able to give you everything, Bri, but I thought this would be a good start.”
“I love it. It means more than I can even say.” She beamed up at me and pressed her lips to mine. It was just a hint of a kiss, but there was something so honest and consuming about it. She pulled back and searched my gaze. “But you know none of this compares to you, right? You’re everything to me. This is just a bonus.”
