Page 71 of Rescuing Erin

“You’re talking about half a million for a good one. Now triple that for a man like me.”

I was afraid to ask what that meant. I could guess, but I didn’t want confirmation.

“That’s a lot of money.”

“Money Warren didn’t have. So he went through the trouble.”

“But he’s dead. So you’re safe now, right?”

“Yes, we are safe now.” Colin tightened his grip on my hand. “I want to talk to you about what happened. What you saw.”

“I know never to tell anyone,” I rushed out.

“Sunshine, I’m not worried about anyone knowing what I did. I’m worried about what you saw.”

“What about it?”

I was confused and thought back to that day and tried to remember the details. Which was odd, because I’d been striving to forget them. But if there was something I’d missed or forgotten that could help them put the last puzzle pieces together, I’d try.

“You saw me kill a man. I think we need to talk about that.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“Baby, I did.” His voice had lowered, and his tone turned cajoling.

“No. You. Didn’t.”

“A man is dead because of me, Erin.”

“You didn’t kill him. You were protecting yourself and me. You didn’t just walk up to someone and take their life.”

“You’re right. But it doesn’t change the fact he died by my hand.”

“Does that bother you? I didn’t think about how it might have affected you, I was just grateful we were alive.”

“Fuck no, it doesn’t bother me.”

“Then why are we talking about this?”

“I need to know if it bothers you. I didn’t think about it that day. And after, I was more concerned about your concussion. Then making sure you weren’t having nightmares about being taken from Abe’s cabin.”

I contemplated everything he’d said and came to the same conclusion I did every time I thought about all that Colin had done for me. I always came first. Nowhere in his statement had he mentioned himself, or the injuries he’d sustained. Or the lives he’d taken. It was all about me, all the time. I wasn’t sure if it made me selfish or not but that was one of the many things I loved about him.

“You killed two men in front of me,” I corrected. “Two men that had beaten you. Two men that had kidnapped me. Two men that had threatened to kill you in front of me. You did what you had to do to protect us. You walked through fire, for me, for us. How could I feel anything but gratitude for that?”

“Through fire?” His face softened.

“You said—”

“I know what I said. I’m just surprised you remembered.”

“It’s what kept me sane. Those words helped me stay strong. I knew you’d find a way out. You told me that when you found the woman you loved there wasn’t anything you wouldn’t do for her. You’d walk through fire. And you did. I won’t ever forget what you did for us.”

“Damn, I love you. Are you sure you’re okay with it?”

“I said I was.”

“Okay. So tell me about this wedding you’re planning.”