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“I hope I kill him.”
On a growl, I pluck her from where she sits and settle her on my lap. “He will never lay a hand on you again. I need you to understand that, Dakota.”
She tries to press against me, but I tighten my hold, refusing to budge.
So damn stubborn. She scares the hell out of me.
“You told me his name. Now, trust me to protect you.” I nudge a finger beneath her chin, force her gaze to mine. “I won’t lose you to this.”
She sighs and curls into me, resting her head against my collarbone. “And to think this whole night started with secrets.”
Secrets.
There’s one I haven’t given her yet.
“Listen, Cupcake. There’s something I have to tell you.”
She sits up, her hands going to my shoulders. “Another secret?”
I grip her tighter, terrified she won’t understand. “Another secret.”
I close my eyes, my chest heavy and tight. I’ve told Dakota more than I’ve ever told another person in my life. She’s heard about the darkest parts of me, and still brings me into the light.
“I killed a man.”
She smiles, amused. “You’re a Marine, Davis.”
“No. This was last year.” Her lips part in surprise. I go on. “The man who tried to take our ranch, who started the barn fire, who hurt Ruby…he came back. He came back to hurt us.”
Her fingers sweep over the soft scar on my shoulder. “And you killed him.”
It’s said so calmly that for a second, words fail me.
The knot in my throat refuses to budge. “I did.”
She stares at me without fear, and says, “They’re your family. You just got Charlie back. I would have done the same thing.” She says it simply, as if it hasn’t set off an atom bomb in my heart.
This woman’s going to be the death of me. She knows what I went through with my team. She knows about Charlie. And she knows this. And she isn’t afraid.
This strong, fearless woman.
This woman who ismine.
“He’s buried on the ranch,” I say. “It’s a protected reserve. No one can dig without getting tied up for years in permits. They’ll never find him.”
A contemplative nod. “Good. That’s good.”
“What do you say, Dakota?”
“I say…I love you, Davis Montgomery.” Her voice cracks. “And I’m so honored that you let me see you.”
“Only you.” The words wrench deep from my soul. I cup her cheek, stroking a thumb over her full bottom lip. “All these years, baby, I’ve been careless with your heart.Forgive me.”
She flashes me a grin. “Nothing to forgive, Hotshot.”
I kiss the top of her head, my heart still aching. “Never again.Rest of my life you’ll know where I stand.”
“And where’s that?”
