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“I don’t know. Long enough she doesn’t mind the thought of marrying him.”
As he rubbed his jaw, his breathing remained ragged. “Fine. You are right in that things need to change. We’re moving into the fucking new century even if I need to muzzle my father.”
“Does that mean you’re going to allow their union?”
“That means that I’m not going to stand in the way of anyone’s happiness. Both she and Maria are grown women and deserve a life. Just like you do.”
I was surprised, curious as to the reason for his change in heart. “You can be a very loving man.”
He chuckled, pinching my nipple. “And I can be a ruthless bastard. Never forget that.”
“How could I?” I teased.
“Such a bad girl,” he growled.
Laughing, I shifted back in the bed. “I think I’ll grab a glass of wine. Is that allowed?”
He chuckled and shifted against the pillows. “I must seem like a monster to you if you need to ask if you can move around the house. Things will change, Sarah. It might take time, but life won’t always be this way. That much I can promise you.”
“Don’t promise things you can’t force to happen. Contrary to popular belief, you’re not God.”
“No, I guess I’m not.”
I eased out of bed, grabbing his bloodied shirt and slipping it on. There was something cathartic about doing so, as if I’d come to accept his life and the element of danger. Perhaps that made me a martyr, but when you loved someone, you could look the other way with certain… misgivings. I almost laughed as I fastened a few buttons, padding toward the door. I had to step over the slumbering dogs, their little snores always giving me a smile.
As I walked into the hallway, I listened for any sounds that soldiers had entered the house. I could feel them watching, knew that they would protect us with their lives. I was no one to them, just the woman their leader had determined belonged to him. Yet oddly enough, I’d never felt so secure in my environment. It didn’t make any sense to me, but I wasn’t capable of making impartial judgments, not given the way I felt about Gabriel.
I headed down the stairs, wondering if there would ever be a time my breath wouldn’t catch when someone entered the house or when a shadow appeared behind me. When I was at the bottom of the stairs, I couldn’t help but venture into his office, moving toward his desk.
The broken laptop was sitting on top, the cracked screen a reminder that he was volatile, an angry man with far too much ability to take out his wrath on whoever got in his way. But I’d been reminded of his gentleness, his ability to yank back from the demons living inside of him. That was the man I’d fallen so hard for, the one who could heat up my core with a single look.
I glanced over my shoulder before opening his top drawer. There was nothing special inside, just typical items found in any desk in any home. When I peeked in the others, I found some files that were old, and a few notepads. It was obvious he hadn’t handled any business from this location in some time.
When I got to the third drawer, the single picture inside gripped my heart instantly. It was of him standing in back of this very house, a woman by his side. She was lovely and the way they were looking at each other was telling.
They were very much in love.
I wasn’t jealous, but a tiny ping in my heart served as another reminder that life was fragile. No wonder he didn’t like this house. It all made sense now, including his fury that I’d left against his rules.
I carefully placed the photograph exactly as it was, slowly closing the drawer. Could I really do this? I wasn’t certain I was strong enough.
Sighing, I held my arms as I headed to the kitchen, retrieving the partially open bottle of merlot and two fresh glasses. Then as I headed back up the stairs, butterflies swarmed my stomach from the thought of seeing him again, of lying next to him in the bed all night long. It was silly, a girl’s reaction to the homecoming king, not a woman who’d spent several years pretending she didn’t need anyone.
We needed each other.
I walked into the room, biting my lower lip. Then I stopped short, allowing myself to bask in the quiet moment that would shock anyone else.
For me, it was a final nod that I wanted to spend my life with him.
He was in the same position fast asleep, one muscular arm wrapped around Goldie, the other around Shadow. They were peaceful and happy together. A little family.
My little family.
And nothing and no one would ever dare tear us apart.
Hell hath no fury like a woman in love.
CHAPTER17
