“No.”
The air rushed out of my lungs as I exhaled heavily.Tears stung my eyes as I tried to blink past them.Now wasn’t the time to fall apart.I had to get out of there before it was too late.
“Axel,” I begged.“Please.”
He unfolded his arms and took the last step between us until he was standing so close I could smell the soft scent of his detergent.His hands gently grabbed my hips and held me in place so I couldn’t slip past him.
“Charlie, I know you’re scared and that you think running will help.But trust me.It won’t.Yes, they found you here, but I promise you I will not let anything happen to you.Do you understand me?”
I nodded and tried to look away before I fell apart in front of him.
“Even if you could leave, there wouldn’t be anywhere safe for you to go.There’s nowhere safer than right here with me.Because Charlie, I would go to the end of the earth to protect you.I would give my life before I would let them take yours or hurt your sweet baby.But I can’t do that if you leave.So please, stay.Let me help you.”
I lowered my head as the tears rolled down my cheeks.He pulled me against his chest after gently removing my duffel bag and tossing it behind me on the bed.Strong arms wrapped around me, holding me in the most comforting embrace I had ever felt.
“It’s going to be okay, Charlie.I promise you that I won’t let anything happen to you.”
He placed a kiss on the top of my head and refused to let go.
Thirty-Two
Axel
Istood there holdingonto Charlie, refusing to let go until she was ready for me to.
While we had already declared our love for each other and knew that we wanted to be together, it didn’t surprise me any that she was trying to leave.Shit got real earlier, and the fear that coursed through her was enough to make anyone run, but I needed her to trust that I meant what I said when I said I had her.There was nothing in the world that would keep me from protecting what was mine.
She sniffled and wiped her face as she took a step back.Even with her face red and splotchy from crying, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on.
“For what it’s worth, I’m very sorry for all of the trouble I have caused,” she whispered, looking at the floor instead of at me.“I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve the kindness you continue to extend to me, but thank you.”
“Do you believe in fate?”I asked softly.She had been through enough today, and I wanted her to feel loved and protected, not judged or like an inconvenience.
“I used to.I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“Well, I do.I believe that you were meant to show up in Nowhere, Colorado, just like I believe I was destined to protect you.Things don’t feel like a burden when it’s something you’re meant to do, Charlie.You being here doesn’t make things any harder for me.It doesn’t bother me to share my space with you, nor does it bother me to take care of you.Please stop apologizing for being here.You didn’t bring trouble with you.You’re dealing with the problems your husband created that you had no hand in.”
