He brushed her hair back from her face. "Damn right I am. No new patches. We have enough men."
"You're sure?"
"I'd burn the whole territory down before I let something happen to you."
Tears welled in her eyes. He was ruthless, but she loved him.
"Promise me, you'll always come back to me. Always."
Kodiak said, holding her like he'd never let go. "I will always fight to get back to you."
She buried her face against his chest, letting herself believe in that promise. Whatever came next, she wouldn't face it alone.
All she wanted to do was hold him and take away the pain he'd gone throughfor her.
He sat on the edge of the bed. She curled against his chest, listening to the beating of his heart. She had no idea how long they sat there. He kept a tight hold on her while idly tracing slow circles along her bare spine.
For once, they had a mutual agreement. They both wanted a future together and refused to let anything stand in their way. She chose him, not because he had promised her dad to take care of her. The love she had for him had changed and evolved as she grew up.
He shifted slightly, enough to draw her attention to him. She leaned her head back to look into his eyes.
"You're not something I want to protect." His gaze softened. "Ineedyou beside me to run Royalla."
"That's the only place I want to be," she whispered.
He brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "Love you, baby girl."
That broke something in her—the final shard of distance she'd been holding onto. She curled closer, tucking her face into the crook of his neck, breathing him in until her pulse stopped racing.
Eventually, he rolled onto the bed with her, tucking her against him. Wrapped in his warmth, her fragile existence seemed stronger as he held her. No more walls. No more hiding her feelings. Just heartbeats.
Chapter 37
Kodiak stood in the hallway with his arms folded, looking at Roma while listening to Cruz. She leaned against the doorway of the room, wrapped in one of his flannel shirts. The sleeves were too long, and the hem brushed her thighs. She should've stayed inside, but she'd waited for hours for him to come home.
He nodded at whatever Cruz said. His gaze never left her. He looked at her as if staring would keep her there.
Finally, Cruz punched Kodiak's shoulder and walked away in the opposite direction, leaving them alone in the hallway.
"Been standing there long?" His low voice came out gravelly.
"Long enough, I'm starting to lose my patience," she said softly, taking a few steps closer. "Your last text said you'd be home at eight o'clock. It's almost midnight."
He grunted, ignoring her concern. "You shouldn't be prancing around the clubhouse dressed like that."
She looked down. The shirt covered more of her than a tank top and shorts. She tilted her head and gazed back at him, holding the hem of the flannel as if she wore a fancy dress and needed to curtsy. "You like this?"
His gaze darkened. "You keep looking at me like that, baby girl, and I'll rip that shirt off you and spread you out on the bed."
"Promise?" she whispered.
That was all it took.
He reached for her, rough hands landing gently at her waist. When they stood face-to-face, the size difference was immediately apparent. She was much smaller and had to hold on to his vest to lean back and see his face.
"Been thinking about you," he murmured, thumb brushing the bare skin above her hip.
Her heart pounded. "Hm?"
