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“He’s left Brazil and changed his identity. I recently found him.” He picked up a rock by his foot and chucked it into the distance.

I wanted him to have the closure he deserved. I tried to imagine his life, but my heart hurt just thinking about how vengeance had propelled him along. Studying his profile, I wanted to reach inside of him, and pull out every root of darkness, and destroy them for him. Vengeance was a prison, and he deserved to be free and happy.

“Kiera, I need you to understand the man I am. I’m not just a doctor—I’m also a killer.”

Those words should have shocked me, but his honesty just made me want him more.

I placed a thumb over his lips. “No. You did what you had to do because no one else had the courage to do it. You didn’t turn a blind eye to those in need. That doesn’t make you a killer, it makes you a hero—myhero.”

Forrest searched my face and relief swarmed in his eyes.

I could only imagine how many people the Anacondas had killed over the years. My man took matters into his own hands and did something about it. How could I not accept and admire him for that?

“If you didn’t get rid of them, they would’ve continued to destroy lives. People should thank you, not despise you.”

He released a soft sigh. “You don’t think less of me? I have blood on my hands, Kiera.”

“But it’s the kind that washes off, Forrest. It’s the kind that allows innocent people to live. You’re doing so much for the community. I admire and respect that. Your parents would’ve been proud.” A lump formed in my throat. “Your father sounds like a kind man who took care of his family. Mine isn’t like that.”

“Is he alive? You haven’t talked about him.”

Bitterness grew in my mouth. “You’ve seen him. He was at the auction wearing red shoes.”

Forrest blinked. “Senator Mitch Kramer?”

“He got my mom pregnant, told her to get rid of me, and ended the relationship. He said he wasn’t ready for a familyand didn’t want the responsibility. Mom raised me on her own. He doesn’t know I exist.”

His jaw clenched as he took my hand in his. “He doesn’t deserve you or your mom.”

Tears filled my eyes. “We all have a past that makes us who we are. I’m ashamed to be related to such a cold person. It was hard growing up not understanding why my father didn’t want me or Mom. As I investigated and learned about him, I didn’t want to be related to him.”

“It’s his loss. You’re perfect, you understand me? You’re not a byproduct of someone’s sperm. You are defined by the person you become. Your heart, your mind, your intelligence, and your imagination are qualities I fell in love with.”

My giddy heart jumped up and down. “What did you say?”

CHAPTERFIFTY

FORREST

This had been a revealing day, with so many confessions and discoveries. I shifted my leg, placed it on the other side of the stone bench, and straddled it. She did the same, so we were now facing each other.

I cupped her face with my hands and kissed her gently. “I love you.”

Her hands rested on my chest as she kissed me back. My vixen darted her tongue into my mouth and played with mine. Being here in this sacred space with her meant the world to me. It was like me coming home with a full heart.

“I love you too.” She sucked on my tongue, and an electrical shock zipped to my cock.

“You’re perfect,” I muttered against her lips.

Not only did she accept me for my flaws, she admired and respected me for doing what I did. Those acts were crimes in the eyes of society, yet she understood me. How did I get so fortunate to land a woman like that?

I wanted to protect her and show her I was the only man she’d ever need. No one could love her like I did.

She was mine—a thought I sent out to the earth, the wind, the water, the air, the trees, and the animals. They were witnesses to this unveiling of my soul. If I were the devil, she was the light that made me betray the darkness. She saved me.

With every new decision I’d make, she would be at the forefront.

I drew back to look at her beautiful face and swollen lips. “I’ve waited for you all my life. You were right in front of me all this time.”