He hung up and I stared at my phone, attempting not to cry.
“Hey, what happened?” Nash said concerned.
“I just feel like everything is sliding into place and I am finally at a point in my life where I’m somewhere safe,” I said, as a few tears slid down my cheeks.
“You’re always safe with us,” Nash said, hugging me. “I know this won’t be easy, but I promise I will do everything in my power to make sure both of you are safe and happy. It’s what you deserve.”
“You deserve to be safe and happy too,” Beau said, hugging us.
“Let’s make sure we are all safe and happy,” I said, snuggling closer, closing my eyes as I took a deep breath and relaxed.
I was finally home.
31
beau
Iris’brother doted on her the moment we arrived athis condo. He hugged her fiercely, telling her he was so worried and why the hell did she marry the stupid cowboy? I grabbed Nash’s hand to give him some reassurance that this was going to be ok. Iris’s family loved her, so he might suffer a bit for it.
“Luke, that stupid cowboy is my husband,” she said, pulling away from him.
“You should have come to me,” he said, glancing at us, narrowing his eyes at Nash. “I can’t believe you took advantage of her, and you basically led her to danger.”
Luke glared at me too.
“Luke.” Iris admonished. “It wasn’t him. His father forced our marriage for his own gain. Don’t be mean to Beau, he was experiencing a lot of pressure.”
The guilt I had tried to overcome was thrown in my face again.
“I don’t give a shit. You guys should have known better,” Luke snapped, glaring at Nash again. “If this is how you treat the person you lo?—”
“Amor.” Camilla, Luke’s wife, came up to him.
“I’m sorry,” Nash spoke up, because I was too stunned to say anything. “Our marriage shouldn’t have happened, but I’m not sorry it did.”
“You should be because—” Luke stopped speaking.
“Our marriage started out as contractual and our first year married was a disaster, but I fell in love with Iris in these past few months,” Nash said, standing beside Iris. “Look, I don’t expect you to understand or even welcome me. I don’t regret how we came together, my only regret is that it took me this long to realize how much of an amazing woman she is.”
“Well, damn. That was a great answer.” Genevieve, Luke and Camilla’s girlfriend, walked to us. “Come on in, don’t mind him. He loves Iris and he just needs a minute to come to terms that his baby sister isn’t such a baby anymore.”
“Nash, this is my sister-in-law, Camilla, and their girlfriend, Genevieve.” Iris introduced Nash.
“Nice to meet you ma’am’s,” he said nervously, his southern twang even more prominent.
“Aren’t you adorable.” Genevieve looked at Nash up and down. “He looks like a keeper.
I laughed awkwardly. “Hello, Mistress.”
“Hello, darling. Are you ok?” She gave me a hug and I flinched in pain. “Oh no, you need to sit down.” She grabbed my hand as she hugged Iris who pulled Nash with us.
“I’m ok,” I said. “Just a little banged up?—”
“Oh, thank god!” Valencia rushed over to me, about to hug me when I stepped back. “Is it that bad?”
“Just bruising, but other than that, I’m fine,” I said, pulling her in for a gentle hug.
“Idiota. I knew you shouldn’t have left,” she cried.
