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Her eyes moved to his cut and the new VP patch.
“That’s not it. I’m glad you got VP, Shades. I am. You deserve it. It’s what you wanted for so long. This is about me. Don’t you see?”
“Babe…”
“I’m not what you need.”
“Bullshit.”
“You need a strong woman by your side. I’m not that woman. I never will be.”
He shook his head and muttered, “How can such a smart woman be so goddamned stupid?”
“What?”
“You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met. Are you kidding? All the shit you’ve been through in your life. You never let it stop you. You never let it hold you down. Every time life knocked you down, you got back up.”
“Shades…” She broke off, shaking her head.
“And maybe you don’t understand that about yourself. Maybe you don’t get how strong you are. But, not understanding something about yourself doesn’t mean it’s not who you are.
“Me getting VP, the absurd idea of yours that I went after you just to get that VP patch, that’s bullshit, Sky and we both know it. I love you. I need you. Without you it all means nothing. How do you not get that?
“Yeah, that patch is what I’ve wanted for a long fucking time. When I walked out of that meeting, and you were gone…” he ran his hand down his face in frustration. “I finally had everything I wanted for so long, but then I realized that without you, it isn’t important, it means nothing if I lose you in the process. I realized that when the DKs took you. I finally got the position in the club, success, respect. But what I really need is your forgiveness and love.”
He watched a tear roll down her cheek, and it tore at him. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms, but he knew this shit needed to be said. She needed to hear it.
“You’ve had to face so much, so young, all on your own. I get that, Sky. You know I get that. But what you don’t get is that all that is over, sweetheart. You will never face anything alone again. Not as long as I live. Those fears you’ve been carrying all these years, hand then all over to me. I’ll carry that load. All of it. You live free and easy, pretty girl. No more worrying about any of that shit.”
Another tear rolled down her cheek, but he kept on.
“I know you think it’s a risk you’re taking…opening up to me and letting yourself love me, afraid I’m going to hurt you. I get that, too. But, baby, look at me. I am not going to hurt you. That is not going to happen. I’m not gonna tear us apart. And I’m not gonna let you tear us apart either.
“And maybe you don’t get that now, but you will. Every year that passes, you’ll get it more and more. Until finally one day, you’ll just know, the way I know, that this is going to last forever.”
“Oh, Shades.” Her eyes brimmed over.
“Are you getting it yet, babe?”
She nodded.
His hand lifted, his thumb brushing the wetness off her cheek. “Good, ‘cause my ribs are hurting like a bitch, and I think I gotta sit down.” He collapsed back on the couch with a groan.
“Shades, how did you get here?”
“I rode.”
“Your bike? With your ribs like this?”
“Yeah. Quickest way to get here. See the pain I go through for you woman?” He tried to laugh, but winced as a jolt of pain jabbed through him.
She sat carefully on the couch next to him. “Baby, we should get you to the hospital.”
“Naw. Slick taped ‘em up. That’s all the hospital would do anyway.” He paused to look over at her, his hand reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Did I make my point? You stayin’?”
She nodded. “I’m staying.”
“Good.” He smiled at her, his hand brushing down her cheek, his thumb stroking her lips. His eyes met hers. “I’d carry you up those stairs to the bed, but I don’t think I’d make it with these ribs. But I want you.”
