Page 126 of You Saw the Best In Me

I’m her family.

Harper, Reilly, Juliette, Willow, and their husbands are her family now.

We hand-picked these people, and it’s our chosen family. The only one that matters.

One day, Karina Grace will be my wife and carry our children, but for now, she’s my girlfriend, and I’d lay down my life for hers or kill to protect her instantly.

KARINA

The second my body touches this bed, I’m in heaven. I’ve been home for two hours, greeted by all our friends. Harper’s in school, so I haven’t seen her yet, and I’m thankful for that.

Mav will pick her up and explain the bruises on my face first.

It was great to see everyone, including Reilly, who seemed to fit in while I was gone.

It’s quiet in our apartment now, and all I want to do is lay with Mav until he has to get Harp.

The musical truck situation has been handled, with Adam and Hunter coming home and everyone returning the keys to their respective pick-ups. It’s adorable how much these boys love their trucks.

“Hi,” I pull him close, tucking the comforter over us.

“Hi,” he whispers, kissing my nose.

God, I fucking love when he does that.

“Are you okay? Do you need your medicine?” he asks, checking my well-being.

I needed a panic pill, as I like to call them, when we first got home. The amount of people waiting to see me, the same people I pictured while I thought I might die, was severely overwhelming.

I threw up in the bathroom and hid away until the pill finally kicked in, settling me into a sense of calm.

“No, I’m okay, Angel. Just hold me,” I plead, and he does exactly that.

I always want to stay in the comfort and safety of this bed.

“I’m so sleepy,” I say, fighting the urge to yawn again.

“Sleep, baby girl. I have to pick Harper up soon, but I won’t be gone long, I promise,” he trails his fingers along my collarbone, and I crave him.

“But I want you,” I whine, and he smirks.

“You’re a little menace, kitten,” he teases, tracing a finger around my throat.

I bite my lip, already insanely turned on by just one touch.

“Please,” I beg, and he shakes his head.

“Sleep, first. I’ll fuck that pretty pussy of yours tonight, and I won’t stop until you scream my name, deal?” he kisses my neck, lightly sucking my delicate flesh.

“You’re such a fucking tease,” I groan and turn my back to him.

Minutes later, I fall asleep and don’t wake until the sun sets.

The darkness in the room is terrifying yet calming at the same time. I search the bed for Maverick, but he’s nowhere to be found. My heart rate speeds up, but I take deep breaths and face this on my own. There’s nothing to be afraid of.

I pull a hoodie from Mav’s closet and slip on shorts.

I can be by myself without breaking down. I open the bedroom door, and the apartment is quiet. Hours ago, this place was filled with people, but now it’s empty.