Page 45

Keane, my wolf says. Once.

Yeah. You’re next, motherfucker.

When I look up, Zahra’s stopped talking.

She’s watching me. Been watching the whole time. She sees the cold in my eyes, on my face, and she knows what it all means.

She doesn’t ask.

She looks down at the statement in my hands and says, real soft,

“That’s how we get you out, baby.”

I nod.

“That’s the only way we’re getting you out. You hear me?”

I nod again.

“It’s yours,” I tell her. “All of it. I’m not touching shit.”

She breathes out. Her shoulders relax. And that big, beautiful smile comes back. Full fucking force.

“Now you can say it.”

I feel the side of my mouth go up. “Say what?”

“You know what. You said you’d repeat it when I’m looking at you.” She has her arms folded, chin up. “I’m looking at you, Declan Greene.” One manicured eyebrow up.

I chuckle. Fuck me.

I put the statement on the bed. Then I take my mate’s face in my hands. Her cheeks in my palms. Big, brown eyes staring up at me. That mouth I’m gonna mess up real good in just a bit.

“I love you,” I tell her. “I love you, Zahra. So fucking much I don’t know what to do with it. Never said that to a woman in my life. Never wanted to. Now I can’t fucking stop.”

Her eyes fill up. And she’s laughing.

“Oh, honey,” she says all wobbly. “You said it three times.”

“You want more?”

She nods, swallowing.

“I love you.” I kiss her forehead. “I love you.” Her nose. “I love you.” And finally her mouth. “Fourteen fucking days. I’ve been saying it to the goddamn ceiling.”

“Me too.” Her fists are tight in my jumpsuit. “I’ve been saying it in my nest. With your shirt on.” She lets out a watery laugh. “Like a crazy fucking person.”

My grin could power the entire state. “Good.”

“Good?” She laughs.

I nod. “I want you out of your goddamn mind about me, love. Same as I am about you.”

Then I kiss her for real, deep, wet, long, lips and tongue…

Forty minutes later my wife’s on my chest with my hand on her ass.

“So,my mom called me.”