AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She tries real hard, but she’s just misunderstood. Ask your brother, Aye. He’s been working with her. They’re makin’ real progress.”
“Right, Killion, the cat whisperer. That’s a conversation for another day. The point is, they give everyone shit, including you. It’s what we do. Everyone is back at Watermark working for you. To clear you. Killion just told me we have agents from all over who saw the bounty and came in immediately to help work your case. When one of our own has had a target on their back in the past, we’ve had to play it right –– no bias, by the book, and rule them out with evidence. Because of the stakes and who we are, they were all guilty until proven innocent –– that’s how we’ve had to treat those cases. Not for you. There’s not a single doubt about you and not a single person playing the devil’s advocate to make sure we don’t miss anything. They just know you didn’t do it –– you aren’t capable of it ––and they all want to help clear you because of who you’ve been to each and every one of them.”
“Wow.” He chuckled. “That’s probably not smart on their part.”
“They all want to protect you like you’ve protected all of us over the years,” she said. “Let them. Letus. Sit this one out, and let us keepyousafe. Let us take the bullet for you this time, Wit.”
“Wow. I-I don’t know what to say.”
There was a quake in his voice she’d never quite heard before. Maybe emotion, or perhaps pride, she didn’t know.
“Don’t say anything. Just sit back and trust your team… yourfamily,” she said, leaning in for a kiss. “Let all the people wholove you, work for you. We’ve gotyouthis time. AndI’vegotyou.”
Emotion welled over once more for Wit, and tears stained his cheeks.
He pulled her to straddle his lap and snaked his arms around her waist.
“Girl,” he whispered, “I wanna have your babies.”
Her head fell back in laughter, breaking their serious and emotional moment in a way only Wit could.
“That’s not how that works, Cowboy,” she said playfully, her voice taking on his twangy drawl again. “Leave havin’ the babies to me, darlin’.”
“Works for me.” He slapped her ass. “I wanna have a dozen little redheaded firecrackers just like you. Sassy, feisty li’l things that can whoop any boy’s butt without even tryin’. Beautiful like you too ––inside and out –– who love so big it fuckin’ hurts.”
A single sob escaped Ayelish, and Wit quickly wanted to right whatever was wrong. “I’m sorry, darlin’. I didn’t mean to upset you. Was it ’cause I said you were feisty? ’Cause I mean that in a good and spicy kinda way.”
“No, it’s just… I…” She choked on another sob.
“Did Killion say somethin’ you ain’t tellin’ me?”
“Hell no,” she quickly fired back. “But he’s going to kick your ass for this.”
“For what? Lovin’ you? Wantin’ a life with you? Havin’ babies with you someday?” He ran a hand through her wild curls and tucked them behind her ear as he often did. “I’m an honorable man, sweetheart. I’ll be respectable. I’ll do this the right way… Your honor is my greatest pleasure to protect. I’ll speak to your family –– brothers, and your sister.”
“Yeah, Cane is too. He’s going to kick your ass. But I would worry most about Ashlyn if I were you. You know what?” she said. “Just stand there, take it like a man, and it will be over before you know it.”
“I didn’t do nothin’ yet. Why is everyone gonna kick my ass? Should we just run off to Vegas or somethin’?”
“That’ll make it worse. I’m not opposed to Vegas, but you know they’ll follow. May as well get it over with.” Ayelish buried her face in her hands. “Oh geez. What am I saying?”
Sobs rippled through her, and the tears flowed right along with them.
“Ayelish,” he said sweetly, concern washing over him. “Baby, what is it?”
“I don’t know why I’m so…”
“Have I been readin’ this whole thing wrong?” Wit grew anxious. “All these months together… Did tellin’ you everything change the way—”
“No!” She immediately interrupted when she sensed his guilt and shame. “Heavens no. That could never change anything.”
“Heaven? You sick, darlin’?” He holds the back of his hand to her forehead. “You feel just fine to me.”
“No. I’m not sick.” She laughs. “I didn’t want to tell you until I was sure –– you know, enough time had passed –– and then I was out in the field on a case. I figured when I got back and saw you, but then all of this crazy bounty stuff happened, and I didn’t want to distract from that and clearing your name…”
“You’re breakin’ up with me.” He sat up straighter, nearly knocking her from his lap. “Ah hell, you wanted to let me down easy. It’s okay. You just say it. I can take it. I just want you to be happy, and if it’s not with me, well… you know what they say. If you love it, set it free, and it’ll be back someday.”
“Wit? Stop talking.” She giggled. “First, that’s not how that saying goes. Not even close. And two, I’m not breaking up with you.”
