“J’taime.”
“J’taime,” he repeats in his cute, non-accented way. “I’m so crazy about you. As soon as I can, we’re gonna end this bullshit with your stalker and then start the rest of our lives together. Are you in?”
Cupping his face, I nod. “I’m so in.”
CHAPTER 25
Specter
I don’t like this.
Colson is kneeling beside the tub, washing me with a sponge and bodywash, but he’s not in here with me and the water barely comes up to my waist to prevent my wound from getting wet. I feel fine and I want my man in this water with me, up to our necks, but the reality is my right side is sore and I need to be careful with my stitches still.
“Stop pouting,” Colson chides. “Enjoy it while it lasts.”
“Enjoy being injured?”
“Enjoy being spoiled. Now who’s being a brat?”
I snort a laugh. “I’m trying.” I grab his hand as he rinses my torso. “Thank you.”
“It’s no problem.” He turns his attention to my face, wiping off droplets of dried blood still hiding in my hairline. “You’re so hot.”
“Thank you. You’re not of this world.”
“I’m mortal and flawed and someday I’ll get old. I’ll have wrinkles and white hair and floppy muscles.”
I grin. “I know. Gonna be awesome.”
“Awesome.” He nods. “You’re weird.”
My smile fades. “I never imagined myself as an old person. Maybe in the back of my mind I didn’t think I’d get there.”
“And now?”
“Now I have a reason, a hope.”
His chin wobbles slightly as he holds my gaze. “You think we’ll still be together when we’re old?”
“I sure do, beautiful. What do you think of that?”
He presses his lips together, fighting back a smile. “Kinda terrifying.” He bows his head and lets the smile bloom freely. “Kind of amazing.”
I lift his hand to my lips and kiss it. “Do you, um, do you think you could love a killer?”
Colson shrugs, his smile warming. “I already do.”
“You still have to be careful. You could get an infection.” Colson fusses around me as I settle in a chair at the dining room table.
My brothers are gathered around, acting as normally as possible, but I can see the concern in all their eyes. Especially Wraith’s.
“I’ll be careful, love.”
Smiling, he shakes his head and starts to make me a plate. I’m pretty sure I could handle dishing up my own food, but I’ll let him do it if it makes him feel better.
Shadow enters the room, his face a mask of dark emotions. Shit. He found out some information he doesn’t like. I brace myself for what it could be.
As he sits, all conversation dies, and the attention shifts from me to him. As it should.
