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She’s rushing toward me, but once more, it’s me who closes the distance and pulls her into my arms. Pain shoots through my side as I hold her against my body, but I don’t care.
It doesn’t matter. Because the feel of her right here, pressed against my heart, is so right that I know we were destined.
The Good Lord made her for me and me for her.
“Are you okay?” I ask her as I pull away to study her bruised face.
“Me? I’m not the one bleeding. Come and sit down so I can look at you.”
“No. Not yet.” I hold her close again, needing to just have her in my arms. “I thought I lost you—again.”
“Nah, we’re just getting started, Ryker,” she replies softly. “There’s too much life left to live.” She pulls away and smiles up at me.
I brush some of the hair from her face. “Promise?”
“I do.” She places a hand on my chest. Right over a heart that beats only for her. “Besides, you did promise me a real date, right? I’d like to see what a night on the town looks like with the infamous Tank.”
“I’ll give you everything you need,” I tell her, meaning every word of it.
“I already have everything I need,” she replies softly. “But I’d settle for a kiss right now.”
I smile down at her. “The best one of your life?”
“We’ll have to see, won’t we?”
I slide my hand along her cheek, tilt her face up, then capture her lips with mine.
Chapter 36
Ryker
One Week Later
“Not really sure where I should go from here, but I kind of get the feeling I need to thank you,” Detective Alec Ford says with a half-smile. “Seems you tied everything up in a nice, neat bow for me, Mr. Granger.”
“You’re welcome.”
It’s been a week since the assault on Prescott estate, and the last seven days have been a whirlwind of interviews with the police, dodging the media, and trying to give my body time to heal.
They also managed to find that detective who’d interviewed her in the hospital, only to discover he was on Leon’s payroll, and his only job was to find out what she remembered.
And the doctor? Well, it turns out he really had no idea what he was talking about. But after the tongue-lashing Lani Hunt gave him over the phone about jumping to conclusions, I doubt he makes that same mistake again.
Overall, Alec is right. It’s all tied up with a nice, pretty bow for the prosecutor, who will be going after José and the rest of the security team who’d been on the ground at that estate.
As for Pine Meadow? They’re under investigation as we speak.
“You did steal my girl, though, so I can’t exactly be too grateful.” Alec grins. “Though I guess one date doesn’t exactly scream forever, does it?”
“I wouldn’t know. We haven’t had a chance to have even one yet.”
He laughs and stands. “Then let me not keep you anymore.”
I get to my feet, favoring my still healing side, and accept his outstretched hand. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. I’m just glad it all turned out the way it did.” He sighs. “With Leon’s connections, it could have been worse. The media is having a field day with it.”
“The bigger they are—”
