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“Maybe around ten? It was laying on the floor. I thought you maybe left it on the counter and it blew off when you shut the door. Or something like that.” I hate how I can hear her confidence slip as she goes. Like she did something wrong.
I flex my hand on her thigh. I’m not well versed in comforting someone, but I feel her relax every time we’re touching. “It wasn’t there when I left around five. And the doors were locked; no sign of any tampering, so they must’ve shoved it under the door.”
“Got it.” I can hear King tapping on his laptop, meaning he was probably working in bed before he nodded off into his underwater fantasy.
“Send me what you find.”
“You bringing her to your place?” he asks.
“We’re on the way.”
The car falls silent when the call ends, but it’s not long before Payton turns her attention back to me.
“You said you did thatcrapto make me leave the party.” She sayscraplike seeing me with that hooker didn’t break her heart. “But then why would you want him to, um, detain me?” She uses King’s word.
“Because I didn’t want you near me, but I also couldn’t have you wandering around that crowd alone. King wasn’t going to hurt you, he was going to tuck you into a room until I could talk to you.”
Remembering the shock I felt at seeing her there, my grip on the steering wheel tightens to the point of pain.
Payton blows out a breath. “So, if I’d’ve just gone with him…” She trails off, the rest unspoken.
We could have talked sooner. She wouldn’t have had to cry herself to sleep. I wouldn’t have had to break into her apartment.
The light ahead of me turns red. Slowing to a stop, I turn my head to face her. “It’s good your reaction isn’t to just go with a stranger. King is one of the few people I trust, but you didn’t know that.”
“But if I had…”
“No point in thinking on thebuts. In hindsight, I’d probably have gotten extra pissed at one of you if my idea had worked.” I can feel her look at me, so I lift a shoulder. “He was doing what I asked, but if he’d have touched you, I’d have to break his hand. And if you’d gone with him willingly… I’d’ve tanned your ass for putting yourself in danger.” I flex my fingers. “Which would be on top of you putting yourself in danger by showing up.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispers.
“I know, Baby. I’m not mad at you anymore. Whoever slipped you that invitation is at fault. And I won’t let it go unanswered.”
Glancing over, I see her biting her lip, sure she has more questions about how that happened. I just don’t have the answers yet.
My lungs expand on a deep inhale.
I’ve already admitted I fucking love her, what’s a little more honesty.
“I’m not sorry about dragging you into this life with me. I should be. It’s hard and cruel and unforgiving, but you’re just as much mine as the dark is. And that means you belong here. With me.” My gaze slides away from the road, to meet hers. And the understanding shining back at me buries itself in my chest. “It’s not going to be a quiet white picket life, but it’ll be ours. And no matter what I do to other people, I’ll never hurt you. Not ever, Payton.”
“I know.”
Warmth fills me. “And I’ll give you anything you want. Anything at all. But it’ll still be nothing compared to what you’ll give me.”
“What will I give you?” she whispers.
“Peace.”
Payton’s small palm lands on the back of my hand, and I let her pull it away from her leg so she can intertwine our fingers. “You’ve already given me that.”
Her words are so quiet, I squeeze her hand to let her know I understand, assuming she’s talking about Arthur.
Her reaction to that ring was not what I expected. I hadn’t really planned to whip it out while I was in the middle of fucking her. But I was too far gone to do anything else. Though a sobbing thank you would not have been on my list of possible reactions.
I’m sure she’ll have more questions about him. Now’s just not the time.
A low grumble fills the car and she lifts her free hand to press against her stomach.
