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“Patrick protected us. He put his own life on the line to protect two women who annoy the crap out of him and ended up getting shot in the process. We couldn’t leave him to die. I know we’re women, but you’ve told me over and over that Cali and I are part of this family now. Our mom always left us. Sometimes it would only be for hours and sometimes it would be for days or weeks. When we were finally old enough to get our own apartment, we always said we’d never leave each other behind because family doesn’t do that. We couldn’t leave him behind just like he wouldn’t leave us behind to save himself. Besides, we totally kicked Maxwell’s ass and Cali shot him so obviously he was outnumbered.”
“Are you done?” he asks.
I tap my chin, trying to think of something else to say. “Not yet. We were also smart enough to leave a trail for you guys and to find a place to stay and hide. So I think we should get credit for that. Also, we did obey you when you told us to run because you had plenty of backup, so we knew you’d be okay.”
“Is that it?”
“Ummm. No. I also want to say that I love you soooo much. Like more than Cheetos, and that’s a lot.”
He doesn’t say anything because he’s waiting for me to keep going.
“That’s all,” I say.
“Thank you for the explanation. First of all, the way your mom treated you and Cali was unacceptable. You should have never had to deal with that. Both of you deserved so much better and will have better for the rest of your lives.
“Secondly, I’m not going to punish you. I understand your reasoning, and I’m in awe of the courage and loyalty you girls showed to Patrick. However, I am going to scold the hell out of you. The Daddy side of me who doesn’t give a fuck about anyone else besides you wants to put you over my knee and paddle your butt.”
I squirm nervously. When I feel his erection, I freeze and glance at him, but the firm expression on his face keeps me from trying to distract him with sex.
“You two could have been killed. Maxwell could have kidnapped you and handed you over to the Russians. The thought of either of those things happening gives me heart palpitations. When one of our men gives you an order in a dire situation like that, I expect you to obey without question. I don’t give a fuck if they might die. It’s the life we all know. It’s the life you were pulled into. You getting hurt or killed isnotacceptable. I just fucking got you, baby. You’re my everything, Scarlet. My whole world. I live and breathe for you now. I can’t live without you. Iwon’tlive without you. Do you understand me? Tell me you understand. I need to know you won’t put yourself at risk like that again.Please…tell me you understand.”
I stare at his beard, hearing the heavy emotion in his voice, and it makes my bottom lip tremble. He cups my chin and, when I meet his eyes, my tears spill over.
“I’m so sorry I scared you, Daddy. I’m sorry I didn’t obey Patrick. I don’t want to live without you either. I never thought I’d find someone who would love me like you do. You make me feel whole and seen and special,” I sob. “I just, I couldn’t leave him lying there. I’m sorry I disobeyed you. I can’t promise you I won’t do it again if the situation arises, but I’m not going anywhere, Daddy. You have a risky job, and there’s always the chance you might not make it home to me and I don’t want that either. But I know you will do everything in your power to make sure you do come home, and I promise to do the same.”
He rests his forehead against mine and wipes my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. “I swear to God, if you get hurt or killed, I’m going to follow you to heaven and then spank your ass for disobeying me. Understood?”
I giggle and nod. “Understood. I will accept your punishment if you have to follow me to heaven.”
“I have something for you.”
“What is it?”
“It’s in my office on my desk. Go look,” he says.
Before he’s even done with his sentence, I’m halfway out of the living room. When I get to his office, I look all around on his desk for what might be for me. Just as I’m about to give up, my eye catches on a small note.
Come back to the living room. – K
I scrunch my face and grab the note. With it in my hand, I head back to him but when I get to the living room, the paper slips from my fingers because kneeling on one knee by the fireplace is the love of my life.
He smiles and opens the small box he’s holding. “I don’t want to live another day without being permanently bonded to you. I know I told you we were getting married, but I want you to choose me instead of being forced to. I love you so much, baby, and if you’ll have me, I promise to prove it to you every single day. Will you spend the rest of your life with me so I can show you how loved you are? So I can prove to you that I’m never going anywhere and I’ll never stop fighting for you? For us?”
I’m trembling so hard I’m not sure I can make it across the room without fainting, but somehow, I do. I leap into his arms and cling to him.
“Yes!” I cry over and over.
When I finally settle down, he slides the glittering ring onto my finger, and that’s when I notice his finger.
“What is that?” I ask.
“It’s your name. When we get married, I’ll wear a wedding band, but I wanted you permanently on my body so there is no doubt in anyone’s mind about who I belong to.”
I stare at the delicate tattoo in total disbelief. All my life, I thought I was unworthy of love. Everyone but my sister has left me. I think I’ve been wrong all along. It’s not that I’m unworthy. It’s that the people who left me were unworthy. I wasn’t the problem. They were. And this big, stubborn, beautiful man right here has proved himself to me every single day since we met. He never gave up on me. Never stopped fighting for me. So, I’ll never stop fighting for him. Together, we’ll fight for us. Forever.
* * *
“I thoughtthey’d be cuter than this.”
