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“I’m not leaving her.”
As soon as they showed up, they hugged me and welcomed me into their family like it was meant to be. In fact, Janice has kind of been mothering all the guys as they stop by to check on Ali every so often. I didn’t even know that she knew about me, and I don’t really understand how she can be so accepting after I put her daughter in this situation but all my focus is on Ali right now.
“Well, all right, then. We’ll go down to the cafeteria and get you something to eat. Any preference?”
I shake my head, and she sighs before patting my shoulder just like Peter did. When the door closes behind them, I stand up and lean over the bed, pressing my forehead to Ali’s as I just breathe her in, missing the mango scent of her soap more than I ever thought I would.
“I need you, Baby. You’ve got to come back to me. You’ve got to fight. I love you. Do you hear me? I fucking love you, Kitten, so you’ve got to come back.”
The door opens again, and I clear my throat as I sit back down, holding her hand tight between my own.
“Hey, Man,” Kodiak says, coming up behind me and slapping my shoulder. “How’s she doing?”
“Same.”
“It’ll work out, Brother. That girl loves you too fucking much to leave you. She’ll wake up when she’s ready.”
I nod, unable to speak as I think about the opposite of that happening. I squeeze her hand and press it against my forehead as I close my eyes.
“I’ve got some news for you.”
“Let’s hear it then,” I snap without looking at him. I know I’m being a colossal dick but I can’t even bring myself to care right now.
“Picked up Tristan, Ian’s brother. Turns out, Ian was blackmailing him to follow Ali. He wants nothing to do with any of this. We gave him enough money to start over somewhere new and drove him out of town.”
I nod, lifting my head and staring at Ali again. “Well, at least one thing worked in our favor.”
“Man, you couldn’t have known that it wasn’t Ian. Everything pointed to him.”
My gaze flicks up to him, and I shake my head. “I should have known. I promised to protect her and look what I fucking did to her.”
“You didn’t do shit to her. We still don’t even know who the hell this guy is to Ali. This isn’t on you. Sometimes, bad shit just happens.”
“Yeah, because of me. Every time.”
He sighs and pushes off the wall. “Like when my pops died. That your fault, too? Or when Moose’s dad shot his mom right in front of him and then shot himself. Was all that your fault?”
I don’t say anything, my knee bouncing harder as I keep my gaze trained on Ali.
“Yeah, didn’t think so. Bad shit happens and yes, Brother, you’ve had more shit piled on you than a lot of people, but that girl is wakin’ up. I know it.”
“No, you don’t, actually.”
He shoves my shoulder, and I stand, ready to slam my fist into his face. “Man, knock your shit off and pull your head out of your ass. She needs you right now so be the man that she needs you to be. And have a little faith. I’ll be back later to check on you.”
Without another word, he leaves, and I sink back into my chair, holding her hand to my lips again. “I’m here, Ali. I’m right here, and I’m not leaving until you come back to me. Just come back, Baby. I miss you so fucking much.”
I close my eyes and start telling her ideas for the wedding, really hoping that I’m not setting myself up for disaster here as I allow a flicker of hope to light inside my chest.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Alison
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
