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“You left everything the same.” She sounded so sad as she said it, like the realization hurt her somehow.
“What was I supposed to do?”
A small laugh escaped her. “Figured you might burn it all.”
“I could never do that.”
“I know.” She walked to where I was and fell to her knees.
Her head rested on my leg, and I ran my fingers through her long blonde hair.
She looked up at me, her green eyes filled with emotion. “I love you, Dominic. I’m so sorry I couldn’t tell you what was going on.”
This was the moment. Where the air was finally cleared and all of our mutual questions were answered.
“Can we talk about it?” I asked, helping her to a stand.
“Of course.”
We kicked off our shoes and faced each other on the bed, both bracing for what was to come, what secrets would be revealed. I’d already decided that no matter what she told me about Trevor, I’d forgive her.
It was Trevor I’d never forgive.
Dove filled me in on exactly how he’d blackmailed her by using the love she had for her dad against her. He knew that she’d do anything to keep her dad from going to prison, and that fear alone motivated her to go along with his demands. He did the same thing when it came to me, forcing her to stay away. She’d believed that he had information that could hurt me, and Dove would do anything to stop that from happening. I understood completely because if the roles had been reversed, I would have done what she had too.
And even though it was my father’s idea, Trevor had apparently reveled in stealing her away from me. She said that his sole focus was to make sure I never touched her again, knowing how much that alone would destroy me from the inside out. Anytime they could be photographed together for the press, he took full advantage, wrapping a possessive arm around her waist, holding her tightly against him. Knowing that I would see the pictures fueled him. I had known the guy hated me, but I’d never realized just how much. And honestly, I didn’t get why.
“He never tried to sleep with you?” I cringed inwardly as I asked this question even though she’d already told me that they’d never done more than kiss on the cheek.
It was the one thing that burned holes in my mind. The thought of him even touching her made me see red. I wasn’t sure what I would do if he had actually forced her to have sex with him. Probably rip him from limb to limb and feed him to some lions somewhere. Or leave the pieces to rot. No dignity in life was equal to no dignity in death.
“No.” She shook her head, reassuring me. “The whole situation was weird. He let me stay in my own place, and he only required me to attend certain public events with him. Otherwise, we barely even talked when we were at home. But he always knew what I was doing and who I was with. I never felt safe. And I was always worried that if I got out of line, he’d have my dad arrested. I lived every day in some level of fear, always looking over my shoulder.”
I pushed off the bed and walked to the side she was on and took her in my arms. I’d never let anyone hurt her again. “I’m so sorry you went through that.”
I was sorry that my woman had been emotionally tortured for months, but I was also pissed the hell off and wanted revenge.
“I’ll make him pay,” I growled, half-expecting her to tell me not to.
“I know you will,” was what she said instead, and we both grinned.
ALWAYS & FOREVER
DOVE
“Baby,” Dominic said with a grin, “I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into the closet we shared before returning just as quickly and falling to one knee on the ground in front of me.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my mouth falling open.
He held a ring between three fingers, but I focused on his face and the words he was saying instead. Who cared about a piece of jewelry when the man I loved was asking me the most important question of my life?
“Dove, I always knew I couldn’t live without you, but I never understood just how vital you were to my existence until now. The pain I felt, knowing that you were no longer mine…” He sucked in a ragged breath. “I don’t know how to put it into words, baby, but it’s not something I ever want to feel again. I won’t make it through. Not without you. You are my literal everything. I have nothing if I don’t have you. And I refuse to live another day without you as my wife. I promise to never let anyone or anything come between us again. I’ll hunt down anyone who tries to hurt you and make them pay. As long as I live, I promise you that. You’ll never have to look over your shoulder again. I will protect you. Keep you safe. Marry me, Dove. Tell me you forgive me and be my wife.”
Tears trickled down my strong man’s face, and it was as unnerving as it was sexy. I knew that I was the only person on earth who got to see Dominic vulnerable, and I liked it that way. No one else deserved to witness this side of him.
“Forgive you?” I repeated. “There’s nothing to forgive. Of course I’ll marry you.”
“Today?” he asked, excited.
