“I don’t want to talk to you.” I go to close the door before the first tear slips, but Link’s hand stops it.
“I need you to hear me out, babe.”
Why? So, he can toy with my heart again? “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say. Now, please leave.” The onslaught of tears is barely holding on by a thread.
“I just drove for eighteen hours straight to get here, baby. All I’m asking for is five minutes.”
I really wish he would stop calling me that.
“You wasted your time. You promised you wouldn’t hurt me, Lincoln, but you broke that promise. I don’t owe you another second of my time.”
I try to shut the door again, but he blocks it with his frame. His tight grip is a force I can’t fight against. I swear, if he doesn’t leave, I’ll be calling the cops on him.
“Please, Shay. I know I fucked up. And I know you don’t have a lick of trust for me right now, but please just hear me out.” Fine, but it’s not going to change anything. He broke my heart and left me in a sobbing heap as he rode off with his men. I cried for days before I could get the tears to stop long enough for me to pack my bags and drive the two hours to get here. He didn’t call. He didn’t text. And I cried. There isn’t anything he can say that will convince me to trust him with my heart again.
“I got scared, baby.” His pained voice hits me where it hurts. “I was scared that I wasn’t doing right by my girl. All that shit Melinda said got inside my head and it blinded me from the truth. Your opinion is the only one I care about. My truth is you.” The air catches inside my lungs and shudders out slowly as a tear slips down my cheek. I quickly wipe it away, hating that he’s seeing me cry again. He reaches out for my hands, moving in close. I’d pull them away, only, I need his strength. I need his safety net to catch me when I crumble. Because I’m about to break.
“I’m sorry I let that shit get to me. And I’m sorry I broke my promise. If you take me back, you have my word it won’t happen again.”
“And what happens when Melinda or someone else you know gives you a disgusted look? What happens when we’re on a date or in the grocery store and someone comments about you being a cradle robber? Then what will you do?” I don’t trust him not to get scared again. The issues that he’s concerned about—our age and our past—are never going away.
“I would hold you tighter and fight to protect what’s ours.” He shifts even closer, sweeping the hair off my face, tucking it behind my ear. Just one simple touch and another tear threatens to spill. “I know I hurt you, baby. And I will forever regret my choice. But you can believe I won’t do it again.”
“How do I know that?”
“Because Rogue asked me a question last night,” he breathes out on a pained sigh. “He asked me how I’d feel if I never got to see you again.” My gut clenches at the thought, protesting the idea so hard I have to clutch his hands to keep myself from falling to pieces. “He asked me how I’d feel watching you with another man. And the answer is the reason I’m standing here. I’d rather go to my grave than have to face a life without you. Without you, I can’t even breathe. I’ve spent the last week fighting myself from coming to get you, stupidly believing it was for the best. But the moment I thought of you giving your heart to someone else, I saddled up and drove here to get my girl. You’re mine, angel. Won’t let anyone take you from me.”
The tears win out and I drop my head to his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. It’s as if all the emotions that have been bottled up for years are pouring out. I love him so much I can’t even imagine life without him. I would never be able to even look at another man because my heart belongs to Officer Price. In one way or another, it’s always been his.
I lift my head, and it nearly chokes the wind from my lungs as a tear runs down his cheek.
“I’m so sorry I hurt you, baby. I’m so sorry I didn’t shield you from the pain.”
I never thought I’d see this man cry. He’s always been my protector, my strength, but right now, I feel like I’m his safety net. I’m the one who can protect him from the hurt. I’m the one who can bring the smile back to his face.
“You only get one chance to break my heart, Lincoln.” I force my watery words out. “I won’t let you do it again. So, if this isn’t going to end with me being your old lady, then you need to walk away and never come back. But if you can promise me a white dress and a house full of kids, then I’m all yours.”
“Baby.” He pulls me close and his forehead presses against mine. “From this day until my last, my love, loyalty, and soul are laid before your feet. Every day, I’m going to fight to give you the life you deserve. I’m going to love and protect you from all the judgement and evils in the world. And as soon as you’ll let me, I’ll be giving you my last name. Understood?”
The warmth spreads over me like a toasty fire, making me feel calm and safe. All those years back when I was that lost kid struggling for a place in this world, wanting to matter, so desperate to be loved, I didn’t believe it would ever happen. I didn’t think I’d ever have the kind of love written in all those fictional books I hated to read. But I feel like one of those girls in a romance novel who’s just been swept off her feet.
“I love you, Shayna.” Those three words may be the most powerful words in the dictionary. I can feel them burning deep in my soul.
“I love you more, Officer Price.”
“That’s real good, babe. Now, can we get your things and go home? I need to be alone with my girl.”
Now other parts of my body are starting to grow warm, but before I go anywhere, I need to make sure Izzy is safe.
“I can’t leave yet. Izzy’s ex has turned a bit crazy, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone.”
His eyes narrow in and it reminds me of the officer I met all those years ago.
“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”
I open the door for him to enter but he stops and signals out to the parking lot, waving someone to come. Rogue isdismounting his bike and stalking forward. Out of all the Savage Knights, he has to be the most intimidating.
“Rogue is with me. Can you go warn Izz that we’re coming in?”
