Page 113 of Before and After


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I crouched. I wanted to touch her, but I’d pushed her away, I’d hurt her.

Now, I wasn’t sure she wanted me to touch her.

“He hit you. Do you have any other injuries?”

She shook her head, gently touching her cheek. “I knew you’d come. I left a trail.”

“Yes, I found it. This was dangerous, reckless, and…brave. So damn brave.”

Her stormy gray eyes met mine. “I knew you’d come.”

Simple words filled with conviction.

My chest heaved. “When I saw you leave with him…” I held her gaze. “I knew you’d hold on until I got here. I knew you’d stop him.” My heart felt like it was being squeezed. “Allie, you were right. I’ve been running for a long time. I left my family, I haven’t settled anywhere, I haven’t let myself get close to anyone or feel anything… Until I met a woman with mile-long legs and gray eyes. A woman who loves her nephew fiercely, who’s a hardworker, a good friend. I couldn’t stop looking at her, couldn’t stop wanting to touch her, couldn’t stop feeling so much for her.”

Her lips parted.

“I’m in love with you, Allie Ford. And—” I dragged in a large breath “—I don’t want to fight it or hide from it anymore.”

“Caden…”

Then we both moved. I hauled her into my arms, and she burrowed against me.

“I’m sorry I pushed you away.”

“It’s okay. I’m falling in love with you too, Broody.” She cupped my cheek. “My big, protective, paranoid Broody. Who always follows the rules and keeps people safe.”

Jesus. Emotion flooded me. This woman loved me. I felt like I’d won a damn jackpot.

I lowered my mouth to hers and kissed her.

I was still kissing her when I heard a throat clearing. Reluctantly, I broke the kiss and looked up. Gunnar was smiling at me.

Behind him, Hugh had Moreland at the edge of the clearing, his hands cuffed behind his back.

“We’re ready to take this asshole down the mountain,” Gunnar said.

With a nod, I rose and pulled Allie up with me. “I’ll carry Allie.”

“No way. I can walk.” She leaned into me. “But you can help.”

I grabbed the duffel bag and slung it over my shoulder. Then with an arm wrapped securely around Allie, we set off.

At the base of the mountain, once we cleared the trees, I saw a crowd waiting for us.

“Allie!” Tessa and Sierra ran toward us. Then the women pulled Allie away from me, hugging her and talking a mile a minute.

Ro was standing with Officer Sanchez and a detective from the Windward Police Department.

I handed over the duffel bag. “This is Moreland’s drug stash. He also tried to kill Ms. Ford. He tried to force pills down her throat.”

Sanchez took the bag, her face serious. “We have his friends detained inside. I think Ms. Ford has broken the back of this little drug ring.” Sanchez glanced over at the huddle of women. “I’ll need to get her statement.”

I growled. “Not now.”

Sanchez shared a glance with the detective, who nodded. “Later will be fine.”

That’s when I saw Ollie peeking out from behind Ro, watching everything with wide eyes.