Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
If somehow this thing between Blake and I was just a casual fling, then I’d be figuring out how to get him to admit what he just admitted to me again, only this time in a way that I could record it so I could get it to the police and we could get him locked up for a long time.
But I don’t want that. Even when I picture the way my life could have gone if my father had been alive for all of it, I still don’t want to do anything that would put Blake’s freedom in jeopardy.
I look at him as he drives me home. He’s so handsome, but he’s so much more than that. He’s my protector. My guardian. The only person alive who has ever shown me what true love has ever meant.
“I’m so sorry,” Blake says as we pull up to the house. “Anna, this is the worst news I ever could have–”
“It’s okay.” Blake looks over at me. He wasn’t expecting me to say that, and neither was I. “What you said back there was right. You never could have known who I was. You did what you had to do back then. I can’t blame you for that.”
The biggest expression of relief comes over Blake’s face, and he reaches over and puts a hand on my thigh. “Thank God. I’m so glad to hear you say that, Anna,” he says as his eyes light up. “And I want to tell you what I didn’t get a chance to tell you. The end of my proposal.”
He’s really smiling now, and despite the crash and the pain in my neck, I’m getting butterflies in my stomach from the way he’s looking at me.
“Okay.” I smile back. “What is it?”
“I’ve been talking with my business manager,” he says. “Moving money around, laundering it. And now that we’re getting married, we’re going to leave this life behind for good.”
“This life?” For a second, I’m not sure I’ve heard him right.
“That’s right.” He nods. “Only legitimate business enterprises from now on. If I stay in the life, you’ll be in danger, and I can’t live with that. You’re my queen, and a king must protect his queen, but a king mustn’t put his queen in unnecessary danger either. So I’m…let’s say retiring.”
“Blake…”
“There’s no need any longer for me to be a kingpin,” he says with a grin. “I’ve ruled long enough. Now all I want is to have you by my side.”
I was crying before, but now I’m crying even more. These tears are from happiness, however, and they only fall faster as Blake leans in and wraps his arms around me. We stay just like that for what feels like forever, rocking back and forth in a sweet embrace until finally I feel his lips against my neck. He gives me the most delicate kiss, and I inhale deeply, taking the moment in like it’s going to be stolen away from us any second.
“I can’t wait to marry you,” he whispers, his fingers slipping up the back of my neck and threading themselves in my hair. “I need to make you mine forever, Anna.”
The big palm of his other hand squeezes my thigh, accentuating his words. I sniff, then sit back and wipe my tears with my arm. I look at him and smile. “Well then, what are we waiting for?”
Epilogue
Blake
Five Years Later…
* * *
Never in a million years did I envision this kind of life for myself. Or this kind of happiness.
I built a criminal empire in the city where I grew up, and I was sure I would die there. But then I met Anna, and all that changed. I gave that empire up for her—for a life I never believed possible.
Now I’m a married man and a proud father, looking over many legitimate businesses. I don’t have to worry about the criminal underworld anymore, don’t have to look over my shoulder anymore, and don’t have to worry about the safety of my wonderful wife or my amazing son either.
We left all that behind when we moved across the country. Anna transferred schools and took all her credits with her. I sold the house, broke up what used to be my criminal empire, and split it up between my competitors. If they want to fight among themselves for control, let them go ahead and have at it. I want nothing to do with it.
All I want is to look after my wife and my son.
She’s working on her doctorate now, and after she finishes that, she’ll go on to become a therapist. How she manages to do that and take care of our boy, Conner, is a mystery to me.
I help, of course. After both of us grew up without real dads, I sure as hell wasn’t about to go and let my son grow up and suffer from the same issue. But my incredible wife handles being a mom and a student and makes both jobs look easy. I truly am in awe of her. It’s like falling in love all over again every single day.