“I’ve killed a lot of people, Callie.”
There’s a spark of fear in her gaze that makes me want to keep pushing. To push hard enough for her to see me for exactly what I am.
“There’s a ledger with the Syndicate that has five hundred names on it, and they all belong to me.”
“Stop.”
Her tone is clear. She’s not putting up with my shit.
“Those names may have been yours once, but they’re not anymore. You said so yourself that the job is done. You can moveforward with your life, Jaxon.” She pauses before adding, “We all can.”
“Does that mean you’ll stay?”
Anticipation settles in my chest like a second heartbeat, but her slow nod cracks me wide open.
“I’m not afraid of who you were because I see who you are now.” She lifts a shoulder. “And yeah, I’m still pissed that you lied to me, but I also nearly shot the guy who wanted you dead, and honestly? That’s kind of badass.”
Her lips twitch, and I laugh with true, deep from the belly joy, and I adore her all the more for it.
“I should’ve told you the truth sooner,” I say. “I endangered both you and Leo, and I’m sorry.”
Her head tips back as she gazes up at me. And any second now, I’m going to kiss that smile from her lips.
“I suppose honesty now is better than never,” she muses.
Her fingers glide through my hair. They’re remarkably steady for someone who nearly died just hours ago, and yet, she’s thanking me. Trusting me. Choosingme.
“You want honesty, Callie?”
My hand lifts, just shy of her cheek, and I hesitate—not because I don’t want her, but because wanting her feels like lighting a match in an already burning house.
“It’s reckless, all things considered, how much I think about you. Every damn day, actually.”
The tips of my fingers trace her neck and face as I breathe her in, teasing her with touches as light as whispers. Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t pull back. So I hold steady, careful not to break this fragile thing between us.
“I see you, carefree, silly, sogoodwith Leo. I see the way he lights up because of you. How you’ve gotten through to him in ways I’ve wanted to but couldn’t manage.” I keep my eyes locked on hers. “More than that, I think about letting myself wantsomething good for once. To feel peace for the first time in too long.”
Her chest lifts on a sharp inhale, and I know she hears it. That plea beneath my words.
“You mock my bravery with your own.” She’s leaning in now, close enough that our thighs are brushing. “And it’s fucking beautiful because you don’t even realize it.”
“Jaxon…”
I groan when she says my name. And when I finally cup her jaw, her skin is just as soft as I remember. Warm and real in a way that terrifies me.
“I thought I knew what happiness felt like, but I couldn’t have known that avenging my sister and eliminating Volkov would give me the key to everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“What do you want?” she breathes as I grip the bottom of her shirt.
I tsk as if she should already know. “You. And know what? It scares the hell out of me.”
With steady hands, I guide her shirt up and over her chest. Eyes like a field of dreams collide with mine once it flutters to the floor.
“If we do this,” I murmur, teasing the crease between her soft breasts with the back of my knuckles, “I’m afraid I’ll never let you go.”
Her chin lifts so we’re nose to nose, her breath mingling with mine. Sweet. Sexy.Her.
“Never?” she asks, parting those pink lips that are always tempting me.
