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“Do you need anything else from Hadley?” I ask, and Tracy’s eyes go to her and soften.
“Just one more thing,” Tracy says, and I brace, seeing the look in her eyes. “Under normal circumstances, I would not ask, but if we find out it was your dad who broke in, how do you want us to proceed?”
Fuck.
Hadley’s entire body gets tight, and I feel every muscle in contact with me bunch as her breath hitches.
“Tracy,” I warn, and her eyes meet mine.
“I think I need to ask, Mayson, due to the circumstances.”
“If my dad did this, I want you to move forward however you normally would,” Hadley says in a quiet voice, ending my stare down with Tracy.
“Are you sure about that, baby?” I question, capturing her chin between my fingers to force her to look me in the eyes. I know from our previous conversations that her parents are a sore subject, but I have no idea of their current relationship.
“I’m sure,” she whispers.
When I catch a glimpse of the tears in her eyes, I turn her into me and hold the back of her head, placing her face against my neck. “Are we finished?” I ask Tracy.
“Yeah, if we need anything else, I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Thanks.” I follow her to the door with Hadley still tucked against my front, and Tracy gives me an apologetic look before she leaves. Once she’s gone, I lock the door and lead Hadley to the bedroom. I get into bed with her and bite back a curse when her tears soak through my tee.
“Talk to me, Hadley. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“It was him. I know it was him,” she whimpers, burrowing into my side.
“Baby.” I roll into her and tighten my arms around her small frame.
Her body goes solid immediately and she tries to pull away. “This can’t happen.”
“What?”
“Let me go.” She struggles without answering.
I don’t let go. I hold her tighter and place my mouth to her ear. “I’m not letting you go, Hadley.”
“You have to.” She tries to get free, but she’s no match for me. I’m stronger and more determined than she is. “You have to let me go. Please, just let me go,” she whimpers as the fight leaves her body.
“Never,” I state, holding my lips to the top of her head. “I’m never letting you go.” It’s a vow. I couldn’t let her go even if I wanted to. With every second I spend with her, I understand more and more that she was made for me. When her body stills and her breath evens out, I look down at her face. Her eyes are closed, but I know she’s not asleep. “You’re mine, Hadley, mine until I take my last breath.”
Her muscles bunch in response to my confession, proving she’s awake, but she doesn’t open her mouth to reply.
One thing I know for certain—this will be the last night she stays here. Even if I have to tie her to my bed, she will be staying at my place with me protecting her until I know without a doubt she’s safe.
I wait until I know she’s sleeping before I close my eyes, but even then, I don’t fall asleep. I can’t. The sun will rise like it always does, and I know when that happens, I will have a whole new fight on my hands.
“Is this your new plan?” I ask, leaning against the counter across from Hadley. I hide my smile with my cup of coffee when she doesn’t say anything, doesn’t even acknowledge me. She’s been ignoring me all morning. As soon as she woke up, she rolled out of my arms and out of bed without a backward glance. Since then, she’s pretended I don’t even exist. “I’m going to be working tonight, but I’ll make sure you get settled in at my place before I have to take off.” That gets a reaction; her head swings my way and her eyes narrow. “I’m not letting you stay here alone.” I shrug. “At least not until I find out if your dad was the one who broke in.” I finish my cup of coffee and dump my mug in the sink. She’s still staring at me, and I can see the wheels in her head spinning, trying to figure out what she should do. “I gotta go.”
When I see the relieved look in her eyes, I almost smile. I go around the counter to where she’s sitting and lift her ass right out of her chair, listening to her squeak as I set her on top of the island. With my hands behind her knees, I spread her legs then grab her ass and pull her flush against me. Her breath catches and my cock aches. When her hands move to my chest, I bury my fingers in her hair, tip her head back, and kiss her.
