“Used me. How?”
I’m not bothered by that; hell, it impresses me, and she smiles. “I feel safe with you. When that man tried to pull me off the streets, the only thing that mattered to me was the thought of losing you. Whatever reasons brought us together, I’m grateful for them, because you are safety to me, Julius. I may be afraid of the world, but I amnotafraid of you. I love being with you, and I wouldn’t change a thing. If anything, I’m grateful for your honesty and if–” She glances down at our entwined fingers. “If we made a new life today, I would consider it an honor.”
For a moment we stare at one another, and then I reach up and guide her lips to mine, and this time I kiss her with a promise. Whatever brought us together no longer matters because we are here now. It’s the future that counts and I will make it my life’s work to make this up to Rose and give her everything, including my heart and I will burn the world down before letting it touch her because we’re now a team, and nothing will change that.
32
ROSE
If anything, I’m grateful for his honesty. When Julius confessed, I had kind of guessed already. Why was he there unless it was for the same reason as everyone else? I am a walking fortune, and I accept that. But Julius is different. He has a heart, and no matter what brought us here, the only thing that matters is that we’re here now. I am a wife, possibly a mother, and I’ve married the most incredible man, so how can I be angry about that?
With a sigh, Julius grips my hand. “I’ll fill you a deep bath; you must be sore.”
I glance down in horror at the massacre on the sheets, and he whispers, “I’m sorry, baby.”
“Don’t be.” I smile. “It had to happen, and I wouldn’t change a thing, but you’re right; it does hurt a little.”
“Come.” He grips my hand. “Let me take care of you.”
The pleasure his words bring fills me with happiness because we are a team now. He will care for me, and I will love him hard because he deserves that. He didn’t need to confess, but he did, and I will always respect him for that.
I wait while he fills the tub and am surprised when heclimbs in with me and as I settle back against him, he soaps my body with care. As the steamy water laps over my naked skin, I almost purr with contentment. He makes me feel loved and as if I am the most precious thing in his world, and it’s a powerful gift. I love this. I probably love him, and nothing will tear the smile off my face today.
“What happens now?”
He kisses my neck and whispers, “We take a flight to Washington as we should have done from the beginning.”
“Is it safe?” I’m a little anxious about that, and he doesn’t reassure me.
“Probably not, but we can’t run forever, and I’ve arranged for a small army to escort us.”
“A small army?” I’m confused, and his deep sigh causes my anxiety to skyrocket.
“You should know that my family business is dangerous in many ways. We surround ourselves with security for a very good reason.”
Memories of my childhood resurface, and I die a little inside. It appears that I’ve swapped one prison for another, and yet I would happily spend the rest of my life in a gilded cage if Julius was in there with me.
“I understand.”
I do because it’s very similar to my upbringing.
“What can I do to help?”
He chuckles softly. “I can’t imagine you fighting your way out of trouble, baby girl.”
“I will if I have to.”
I shrug, lacing my fingers with his as I say sadly, “I’ve fought for my entire life but at least now I have a weapon to use.”
“A weapon?”
I raise our hands and kiss his and whisper, “I have you tofight for now, Julius, and possibly our child. I will do what is necessary to protect that.”
I’m surprised when he pulls my face around to his and kisses me with an urgency that I match, the passion lighting a spark inside me that never appears to fade. I groan as he deepens the kiss, his fingers tangled in my hair as he holds my head in place, one hand pressing my body closer to his. I am delirious with happiness because this is exactly what I hoped to find. An unbreakable bond with my husband and the best thing is he found me, even though he never expected to.
He groans as he pulls away and says angrily, “We should leave, no matter how much I wish otherwise.”
My heart thumps as he pulls me out of the tub as I face the prospect of a perilous journey ahead.
