Page 31 of Freeing Denver

“You already did.”

“Then I want to punch you twice!”

I grip her shoulders, and she glares up at me, her cheeks flushed with anger. “I want you to leave Ranger for you, not for me.” Her anger wanes a little, and I sit back on the bed, pulling her onto my knee. “I want you to make these life-changing decisions because it’s what you want, that’s all. You felt obligated to Ranger for taking you in. I don’t want you to feel like you owe me or anyone else in this house. You’re free to do whatever you want to do. If that’s staying, I’ll love you forever in the best way I can, but if that’s leaving …” It’ll kill me. Fucking destroy me. But her happiness means more. “If that’s still leaving, then I understand.” I stroke the side of her neck as she looks at me, her eyes shining. “Your happiness means more to me than?—”

She kisses me and straddles my hips, her hands cradling my cheeks. Heat strokes my skin as I deepen the kiss, flattening my hands on her lower back to pull her closer, my tongue delving into her mouth. Kissing her feels like waking up all over again.Like new light, like fresh air, like finding a reason to pull myself from the dark.

When she breaks the kiss, she stays close. “Everything you just said is why I love you, Colt. I’m here because I want you. I stayed all those months ago because I want you. It has nothing to do with Ranger. You’re what my happiness looks like, remember?”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m so sure. My future is you.” She runs her fingers through my hair. “I love you. But if you ever say that shit to me again, I’ll kick your ass.”

I laugh. “Noted.”

“Will you be okay tomorrow? Without me?”

No, I won’t. The day is going to be fucking awful. Saying goodbye to my brother was never going to be easy, but with the added pressure of the businesses, looking after Holly, Ranger, and the pain I’m in … the last thing I want to do is deal with this without Denver by my side.

But we both decided that given their history and what people know about Wilder and Denver, her being there wouldn’t be smart.

“I’ll be fine.” I rub my temple, and she frowns gently.

“You okay?”

“I’m just in pain.”

She kisses me softly. “Sleep. You’re doing too much.”

“I’m fine,” I repeat, standing and sitting her on the bed. “I’ll be fine.”

Chapter 8

Denver

Iput my hands into my pockets and play with my wedding ring, the metal warming in my palm. It’s starting to feel like a brand.

Leaving Ranger was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. The logistics didn’t matter because all I could focus on was finding the strength to tell him no, but now the reality is here, hitting me in the face.

We’re legally man and wife. To change that, we both need to sign paperwork I know he’ll likely take a match to.

I can only hope that how he’s been recently, especially with Axel, means I might be able to reason with him. Maybe what he did to Theo and me has given him a conscience.

I check my phone. Nothing from Colt. His last message was just before heading into the church, and I told him I loved him, too.

“You have your pepper spray?” Lewis says from beside me.

I nod. “Yep.”

“Don’t hesitate to use it.”

I reach for his hand, needing all the strength I can get. “I won’t.”

The elevator doors open to the penthouse, and loud laughter echoes down the hall. I frown, exchanging a look with Lewis, before striding into the room. My heels click against the marble flooring as I make my way to the dining area and stop in my tracks.

Ranger is at the head of the table, Alexei Volkov to his left, Dante Capelli to his right, and several other men I recognize from the funeral. Important, powerful men.

My husband leans back in his chair, his brows raised. “Hello, little bird. I thought you were in California.”