Page 126 of Obeying Mr Kingsley

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IPULL LEXI into myarms, and her bags drop to the floor.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”I rasp into her hair while crushing her.

She tries to shake her head, but I’m holding her too tight.

“Rhet mwee gwo,”

Shit.

I loosen my hold and take her chin.

“Mase,”

Tears pour down her face.

“Someone assaulted you and then set you up.Lexi, I could have helped you.Fuck the gag order.”

Her forehead falls onto my chest.

Good god, she’s been through hell, and I did nothing to help.It’s typical of her not to ask for help, but I imagine she was terrified.

“I want to help you.”

Her face lifts.“I don’t want your help.I want...all I wanted was...you.”

I nearly break.My eyes fill, and my chest tightens so hard I think I’m about to break into pieces.

“You have me, Lexi Grant.You had me from the moment you shook my hand in the lobby of Obsidian Nexus.”

Disbelieving eyes study mine.

“I love you.I’d already decided I was going to make you mine.”I slide my thumb over her jaw.“Waiting for the wedding to be over was my biggest mistake.”

“You love me?”

“I loved you before I knew you were innocent.Nothing was going to change that.Not even my paranoia and trust issues.”I shake my head.“You have me, Lexi.Now tell me you will stay and be mine.”

Another sob escapes her, but she’s not sure.

“Emily told you.”

I nod.

“Don’t worry about the legalities.We will do everything we need to protect you and ensure the motherfucker who set you up is put away for life.”

Lexi falls apart.

I wrap my arms around her again and let her cry.

“Not even my parents believed me.”She sobs quietly as I run my hand over her hair.

I’ll deal with them when I meet them.

Then again, I was just as guilty.

“He told me he was locked out of payroll and couldn’t pay anyone.I stupidly gave it to him.That was my crime.”