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I stop breathing.
“I didn’t know you’d become the fucking heart beating in my chest. All I knew was that you’d witnessed me kill a man and that made you a risk, but there was no way I could hurt you or even pretend I might hurt you. And all I could think to do was to take you home.” His fingers slide under my hair, and he runs his thumb lightly over my nape. “Fuck, maybe I did know, even then. Because after that kiss, I never wanted to let you go. I wanted to tie you to my bedpost and keep you for-fucking-ever.”
I realize I’m trembling all over. Incapable of speaking. I soak him in even though I resolved to be strong.
“Hannah.” Now he eases the arm around me and pulls back, cupping my face. It’s painful to look at him, but he waits until I do, and then I can’t look away. I realize with a shock he has a bruise on his jaw and dark circles under his eyes.
“I fucked everything up, but if you give me a do-over, I swear to Christ you won’t be sorry. I will figure out how to be your man.” He leans his forehead against mine. “Please let me be your man.”
I suck in a breath. “Are you here... because of what my dad told you?”
I don’t know what I want him to say—there’s so much packed into this, and it’s all twisted together.
He hesitates like he wants to get the answer right but isn’t sure how. “I want this baby—” he blurts suddenly, dropping his hands from my face and shoving them in his pockets. Giving me space. “I mean, if you do. I support you, no matter what. I’m sorry I freaked. It just scares the ever-loving shit out of me to think something might happen to either of you because of me. But I’m gonna solve that shit,” he vows, his gaze steady. Firm. “I’m gonna solve it, and I will keep you safe. I promise you that.”
It’s the first time since he’s been back I see that old confidence in him. The guy who sat on top of the world. Who knows what he wants and how to get it. Maybe Armando just needed a reason to give a damn about life on the outside.
Maybe I’m that reason.
“Hannah.” His voice goes soft, and he steps in again, resting a hand lightly on my waist. “Give me another chance. Please. I’ll get it right this time. I won’t let you down.” His other hand snakes around behind my head and tilts my face up. “And I want the baby. But no pressure.”
His handsome face turns blurry from my tears. “I want the baby, too,” I whisper. “She can come to work with me. I mean, I’m my own boss. I can totally make this work.”
His eyes crinkle, and the corners of his lips tug up slightly. Leave it to our unborn baby to be the first thing to make him truly smile. A real, toothy, honest to God smile. “She?”
I shrug. “Feels like it.”
His lips stretch wider. “She’ll be beautiful. Like you.” His gaze roves lovingly over my face. “May I kiss you?”
I let out a little puff of air because he sounds like we’re on a first date. “You’re asking permission now?”
His eyes crinkle again. “I told you, I’m gonna do it right this time. If you’ll have me.” He leans forward and stops with his lips millimeters from mine. “Say you’ll have me.”
“I’ll have you,” I whisper then push him away, right before his lips crash down on mine. “But you can’t break my heart,” I warn.
He shakes his head. “I’m all in, Hannah. And when I commit, I’m loyal as hell. This time will be good, I swear.”
I close the distance between our lips and kiss-attack him. He gives it back to me, like he always does, devouring my mouth, his tongue plundering, his lips taking, drinking.
“I love you, Flowers,” he murmurs when we come up for air.
My vision goes blurry. “I love you, too.”
Chapter Thirty
Armando
The thing with love is that it makes you miss things you should’ve caught. My mind zeroed in on seeing Hannah. I knew it was Friday, and the guys were next door, but I didn’t spare them any notice when I walked by. Nor did I pay attention to the guy loitering across the street.
I was too consumed with getting to Hannah and fixing that shit.
When the door bells jingle, we break apart, and I see Lorenzo, one of the old-timers come in.
“Mando,” he says, like he’s surprised to find me behind the counter in a liplock with Hannah.
“Lorenzo. How’s it going?” For the first time since I got out, I don’t hate everyone. I’m almost glad to see a familiar face. Proud to show off my relationship. My beautiful, pregnant girlfriend.
