Page 132 of Control Freak

“Good. That’s best.”

“I’m so sorr—” I started, breaking off as my throat closed up and my eyes burned once more.

“It’s not your fault,” Gray said.

Emory had come in while I was in the bedroom. He hopped from his seat and enveloped me in a hug. “Shhh. It’s okay.”

I clung to him, sobbing into his shoulder. “It’s not okay,” I choked out. “My fault.”

“Those assholes aren’t your fault,” Axel said, his voice sharp. “They fucked with the wrong family, though, I’ll tell you that.”

I pulled back, wiping at my eyes. “Holden’s right. They’ll be back. And when they are, maybe I shouldn’t be here.”

“What are you saying?” Emory asked.

My heart wrenched. I didn’t want to go. Didn’t want to give up Holden. But that was just me being selfish. If it was better for me to go…

“Oh, hell no,” Axel said, obviously guessing at my train of thought. “Shut that shit down right now.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

“Holden loves you. I’ve never seen him this happy before. You’re not walking out on him.”

“I don’t want to leave,” I protested. “But how else can I protect him from my fucking mess?”

“You can’t,” Axel said flatly. “It’s too late.”

“Axel’s right,” Gray said. “You’re part of Holden’s life now. Leaving will only hurt him.”

“I don’t want to hurt him,” I said quietly. “I love him.”

“Then stay,” Emory said. “Stay, and we’ll all be here for both of you.”

Guilt swamped me. “What if this happens again? Can I really risk that?”

Bailey had been quiet up till now. He looked me in the eye. “If you can’t handle it, you should leave now. Holden needs someone who will stand by him.”

His words hit me like a wrecking ball.

Destroying any resistance in me, not that there was much. I wanted to stay. I’d do anything to keep Holden.

Tears welled and spilled over. “I’d handle anything for him,” I insisted. “He’severythingto me.”

“Then you have your answer,” Emory said quietly. “Love him. Be there for him. And we’ll be here for both of you.”

“Okay.” Relief swept through me, and I collapsed into a chair. “I was just afraid it was selfish to stay. He’s only in pain because he protected me.” I picked up a napkin from the table and blotted my tears. “I really don’t want to lose him.”

“You don’t have to,” Bailey said. “When my brother decides to take care of you, it’s best not to fight it.”

I let out a watery laugh. Bailey was young, but damn, he was right.

Holden was a control freak to the end.

And I’d never loved him more.

CHAPTER 32

Holden