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“How dare you!”
He jerked back at my hiss, eyes widening as he stared at me. His arm dropped to his side, and I moved forward again, unable to stop myself once the flood started.
“Youleftme. You didn’t talk to me about it. You didn’t give me the chance to say I agreed that we were a risk.”
I shook my head, refusing to let tears blur my vision. Jabbing a finger into the center of his chest, I squared my shoulders and let him have everything that had been weighing me down.
“You were a bad decision from the beginning, but I was willing to give it a chance anyway. I was willing to look the other way about what you did, because I’d come to see the man beneath the mask you show. The one that cares. The one I thought cared forme.”
My voice cracked but I pushed on.
“But then you thought you knew what was best for me and shoved me away. You left me sitting alone in your penthouse without a word as to what you were doing, or when you’d be home. You ignored me and made me feel forgotten. Unimportant. Like some whore who’d finally been replaced like I’d expected all along.”
Without thinking I raised my hand and slammed it back down on his chest, the sting in my palm not enough to lance through the anger.
“Even after I told you my family knew about you and the baby you didn’t give me the ring back. You made me feel like you’d changed your mind. Like I’d been a fun distraction while you had the time, but once you had something more important, I was pushed aside because I didn’t matter enough to warrant a simple text to say you were running late.”
My voice had risen, my throat straining as I fought to speak through the need to cry at the fresh surge of pain his actions had caused. When my hand lifted again it curled into a fist, but it was stopped before I could land the blow on his chest.
Warm fingers held my wrist firm while a strong arm snaked around my back and pulled me closer. I struggled, but Leo didn’t let me go.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I never meant to make you feel that way. I was scared.”
The words whispered into my hair made me freeze.
Despite the anger still pumping through my veins, the feel of his body against mine sent awareness sparkling along my flesh. Each heave of my chest brushed my nipples against the lapels his jacket, the fingers gripping my wrist reminding me of the times he’d pinned me to the bed. His scent filled every breath I took as he held me against him, refusing to let go.
“We were under attack. We’ve been under attack since that night at the club. Hell, even before then. Men were dying, and our families were at risk. The women and children were moved into my parents’ place to stay safe, but I knew that wouldn’t work for you. I didn’t want you to choose between me and your family, because I was scared you wouldn’t pick me. Either way, I was going to lose you, so I had to let you go to protect you.”
The pain in his voice sliced through me, and I remembered the news about a war going on in the streets.
And he was right. As much as I loved him, I never would have left Momma and Michael alone even to protect myself.
“I am so sorry, Cadence. I didn’t want to put you and our baby at risk, but I can’t stay away either.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Leo
Ireleased her wrist, hand moving to slide into the hair at the back of her skull. My chest ached, the pain of admitting the truth not as strong as I thought it would be, but the fear she’d deny me threatening to steal my breath. Tipping her head back so she had to look up at me, I studied her face before going on, hoping to see a flicker of something other than the hurt and anger I’d caused.
“I love you, Cadence. I can’t love anyone but you. I promised to keep you and your family safe, but I didn’t know how, so I broke my promise not to hurt you instead. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”
She trembled in my arms. I could feel her heart beating against me, the swell of her belly protected between us. She’d never been so beautiful as the moment she’d opened the door and I’d seen the proof of my child growing inside her.
The urge to kiss her grew too much to resist, and my lips crashed down on hers. They parted on a gasp, and I took the opportunity to plunge my tongue inside, claiming her mouth with every bit of the desire I felt for her.
She was supposed to be mine.
I held her tight, worshiping her lips and trying to convey my emotions through the kiss. She was stiff at first, hands pressed to my chest, but she slowly melted against me. When I finally pulled my mouth from hers, she was panting, and her eyes had closed.
Resting my forehead against hers, I struggled to find the words to convey what I felt so I could hope she might take me back. I needed her, and if she denied me, I’d be crushed. It was hard to open up and allow myself to be weak, though.
But this was Cadence. The omega I wanted to claim and spend the rest of my life with.
“I love you. I was stupid, and I made a mistake. I swear I’ll never do it again. No matter what it takes, I will put you and our baby first. I will make sure your brother goes to college and stays away from my family. I promise to always tell you what’s going on, and let you help decide the best actions to take. I will grovel at your feet for eternity if that’s what it takes.”
I felt her ribs jerk as she let out a huff, the sound giving me hope.
