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“For being patient with me. For...for just...for loving me.” Her eyes shone.

“I do love you. I love you so fucking much. I didn’t know it could feel this way and even though I was looking for it, I still wasn’t expecting to find it. But you, Ainsley, are something else.”

She snuggled into my side, resting her head against my shoulder.

“So, I take it you do want to spend the rest of the weekend together?”

She laughed, lifting her head. “Yes.”

“Good.” I kissed her nose. “Can I ask you something?”

She nodded.

“Did you ever see that guy again? The one who followed you to the deli or are you thinking he was just some random stranger?” I knew through experience that things weren’t just random usually. Especially not with the trauma she endured. I was sure the people who survived the raid wanted to make sure there was no one left who could rat them out.

Ainsley shook her head. “No.” She cleared her throat.But I’ve spent a lot of time with you. I don’t get out much if you haven’t noticed.

“What about the bastards who got away? Have you had any issues?”

“No.” She chewed her bottom lip. “Why?”

“Because I want to know if I have to go after—”

“No.” She jumped to her feet.

“Baby.” I went to her, but she lifted her hands, warding me off. That single act didn’t sit well with me. It was like the wall that I had already broken down, grew between us. Well fuck that. I went to her anyway, bracing myself for her wrath. Tugging her against me, I wrapped her up in my arms.

“Cyrus.” She struggled against me.

“Shut the fuck up.” I fisted her hair, tugged her head back, and forced her to look up at me. “Don’t you dare close up on me.”

I don’t want you going after them,she signed, her fingers flying over the words. Her hands pushed against my chest. “Please. You can’t. I’ve spent a long time trying to forget that shit and to forgetthem. I can’t...you can’t...” Her chin wobbled.

Shit. I crushed my mouth to hers, drinking up her soft cries. Her tears coated my tongue, making my taste buds tingle.

“Cyrus,” she whispered.

A shiver rippled down the length of my dick. Fucking hell, I loved when she said my name.

Ainsley latched on to my shirt. It was like she was trying to get closer.

“What do you want, pet?” I asked, sucking her bottom lip between my teeth.

A notable shiver trembled through her. “I want you to stay here. With me. Not go after them.”

“I wasn’t going to leave now, Ainsley.” I tugged her head back even more, staring into her eyes. “I just wanted to know. I was asking because...”

“You want to go after them,” she answered for me. “Even if it’s not now. Tomorrow. Next week. Youaregoing to go after them.”

Fuck me. For someone who spent years not talking, she sure as hell had a lot to say about the matter.

“I’m right, Cyrus. I know I’m right.” She took a step back, pulling me with her. “Tell me I’m right.”

“You’re right,” I said, cupping her ass and lifting her into my arms. “You want to know why though? Because I fell in love with a woman who had some serious shit happen to her and I won’t rest until those bastards are taken care of. If I can’t find them all, I will take you out of here and shack up somewhere no one knows about. I will do this to protect you.” I carried her into the kitchen, sitting her ass on the counter.

“You can’t take me out of here, Cyrus. Out of my life. My job.”

“Nope. I can’t.” I was being unreasonable. I knew that. But it still didn’t mean I wouldn’t try. “But I will do everything I can to protect you. Okay?”