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“They’re going to kick me out if we don’t stop.”
She giggled. “When do I get to leave?”
Once again, I didn’t waver. “As soon as you’re discharged, you’re moving in with me.”
Cove
I grinned, teasing, “I don’t remember you asking.”
“I’m not asking, I’m telling you.”
“What if I say no?”
“I’ll have to kidnap you again.”
“You can kidnap me anytime you want.”
I was caught off guard when he added, “I have something for you.”
“What?”
It was only then I noticed there was something sticking out of his pocket. There in front of my glossy stare was a stuffed animal I never thought I’d see.
My mouth dropped open.
“You have my bunny?”
“I’ve had it since you gave it to me. It’s traveled all over the world with me.”
My heart was breaking in the best way possible as he handed it to me.
“I was so fucking drunk that night you followed me out to the stream. It was after my mom’s funeral, and I couldn’t take one more person giving me their condolences. I was so angry, I just started drinking. It was the only thing that numbed the pain.”
“I understand. I shouldn’t have—”
“No, bunny. I shouldn’t have treated you like that. I barely remember any of it until you called me out on it in the garden. I’m so fucking sorry I treated you that way. I would never have if I’d been sober. I took my frustration out on the wrong person and if I could go back, I’d change everything about your kind gesture.”
“How much of it do you remember?”
“Enough that I went back there the next morning and saw your bunny on the ground. I should have given it back to you, but for some reason, it gave me comfort in a moment when I needed all I could get. In a way, you’ve been by my side ever since.”
I smiled, loving the effect I had on him.
“Why didn’t you ever bring it up?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I was embarrassed, and the guy I had the biggest crush on just broke my heart. It’s why I hated you so much.”
He nodded. “It all makes sense.” I could see it in her eyes. “Ask me, Cove.”
“Is that why you call me bunny?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Ah. And your feelings for me… how long have you had them?”
He grinned, leaning back into the chair. “I knew you were going to ask me that.”
“Well, you are G.I. Joe after all.”
“Let me lay it out for you, bunny. That night at the bar, I could have killed that motherfucker just because he was dancing with you.”
“So you were jealous?”
“Not as much as I was when I walked in on you and Deacon.”
“I knew it.”
“I always tortured my enemies for information before anything else. Deacon was the first man I killed point blank without finding out a single thing. From the second I saw him on top of you, I fucking lost it. I wasn’t planning on ending him that fast or doing it in front of you, but the mere sight of you about to give your cherry was too real. I acted on pure impulse and fucking killed him just for you.”
“Wow,” I breathed out. “I was not expecting you to say that.”
He leaned forward on his elbows. “Get used to it. I’m going to be full of surprises when it comes to you.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“For the first time in my life”—he kissed me—“I’m looking forward to my future with you.”
“I love you, Jace.”
“I fucking love you, Cove.”
I always knew…
The villain would turn out to be my hero.
Thirty-Three
Cove
One year later
Words couldn’t describe the last twelve months of my life. They were the best, and I knew it was from Jace being in my life. We spent all our time together. Since he was retired, he didn’t have a job to report to, and all I had was college classes. The moments in between, we were together doing normal things like any couple.
His family was everything to me. Haven was thrilled that we were in a relationship. I’d never seen her so happy before with Hayes in her life and Jace and I together. Everything between us just felt right.
I hadn’t seen my parents since I left the hospital. Not even when I went home and packed up my things with Jace. They never reached out, trying to see me, but it didn’t matter. I never needed them. They could have each other.
After living in Jace’s condo, we decided we wanted to own something together instead. We spent months finding our perfect home.
“Now what?” I baited, spreading my legs on the stairs of our house.
We just closed on our thirty-five-hundred square foot, four bedroom, four bath home with an office home that afternoon. Now I only had one thing on my mind.
“I have something in mind.”
“Me too.” I arched an eyebrow. “Get on your knees, soldier.”
