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My chest tightened at the thought of almost losing her tonight.
“I’m so sorry we couldn’t save the house.” Gavin put his hand on Liam’s shoulder. I knew he didn’t care about the house. His eyes were glued to Abbey.
Abbey collapsed in my arms. Liam and some of the other men rushed to catch her as well, but I had her. I wasn’t letting her go.
“Darlin’, are you okay? Do you need the doctor?” My voice was laced with panic as I cradled her against me.
Abbey shook her head.
“What’s wrong then?” Liam’s voice rivaled mine.
“It’s over. It’s finally over.” She smiled.
She was right. They caught Jeff. No matter how much I wanted to do it myself, it was done. Jeff was going to jail, with no chance of getting out. Multiple accounts of domestic abuse and now attempted murder, not to mention arson. No doubt once an investigation was opened, he’d be pinned for the other things as well.
Abbey planted a searing kiss on my lips. All I could do was hold her against me. She was safe in my arms, and I was never going to let her go. Every day, she’d know just how special she was. I loved her more than words could express.
“I hate we weren’t here to keep you safe,” I whispered against her lips.
Abbey pulled back, her eyebrows knitting together.
“Duke, I love you. You can’t be by my side all the time.”
I made sure she was steady on her feet before grasping her arms and staring into her eyes.
“I can’t bear the thought of what might have happened if everyone else hadn’t been here.” My voice cracked.
Abbey cupped my cheek in her hands. “We have an incredible group of friends who are here for us, no matter what. And you were keeping me safe by going to the hotel. We could never have guessed Jeff would come here.”
I nodded. She was right. I’d been thinking I had to do everything on my own. The only reason I allowed my fellow police officers to be part of the hotel setup was because I needed to make sure everything was on the up and up so we could arrest him. If I’d been more open to having help, I’d have made sure the guys were on the lookout for Jeff too.
Abbey pulled Liam into our embrace. “I love both of you. There was no way you would’ve known this was going to happen. None of this is your fault. It’s all mine for bringing it to all of you.”
Liam tightened his arms around us. “Dulcinée, this is not your fault. Like you said, no one could have guessed this would happen. The most important thing is we came out the other side together.”
“I love you.” I captured Abbey’s lips in a soft kiss before passing her to Liam to steal one as well.“Will you stay with us forever?” I hadn’t planned on saying it now, or in this situation, but I knew the timing was right. We needed to know for sure that Abbey was staying with us. I needed to hear her say it and to make sure she realized we wanted her in our lives.
Abbey gazed at me. “What?”
“We can’t let you go. We love you. You are the one for us, and we don’t want to lose you. Please stay with us. Live with us. Be our wife,” Liam responded.
“We want you with us for forever. Will you marry us?” I said.
Abbey looked between Liam and me. “Yes, yes, yes.” Her lips trembled as she whispered the words, and tears streamed down her face.
I pulled her in and sealed it with another kiss, trying to be careful of her injuries. My heart pounded in my chest. Nothing could beat this feeling. The woman we loved had agreed to marry us.
Liam took Abbey away for his own kiss.
“We can build a new house. Build you a studio. Whatever you want, it’s yours.” I wanted to start new. I had never truly envisioned building a family in the house Liam and I had originally built. Now we could start over and have a proper home.
“I was kind of thinking maybe we could also add another room.” Abbey gave a shy smile. “For a nursery.”
I grinned. I loved that idea, and the first chance we got, I’d love to make sure we got Abbey pregnant.
“Anything you want,dulcinée.” A huge grin stretched across Liam’s face.
“And maybe we finish it sooner rather than later.” She bit her lip, her worried gaze bounced back and forth between us.
