Page 195 of Only for Him

“Hey,” I say. “You’re good at taking care of people, Teddy. If she has to have someone watching over her, I’m glad it’s you.”

He gives a slight nod, and I can almost see the effort it takes him to return to baseline. I know Teddy. Something’s up. But I also know that if he says she’s safe, then she’s safe.

“And I’m glad you found someone who can keep up with you,” he adds, but there’s a protective edge to his tone. “Just make sure he doesn’t lead you too far into the dark.”

“He won’t,” I say, because I can’t say that he was never really leading me anywhere I wasn’t already headed. I was always on a collision course. He just kept me company as I sped towards it.

Okay, and maybe greased the wheels a little bit.

The burner buzzes again and my belly warms. I’m sure, by now, there’s evidence of what Roman does to me on my panties.

Don’t you dare keep me waiting. I’d hate to have to teach you a lesson about that.

Oh, god. I think I’m drooling. Everything around me disappears for a moment, and I shift in my seat to accommodate the throbbing ache between my thighs.

When I look up, I see that Teddy’s watching me closely. I blush. His eyes narrow, then soften with something like approval.

“I know Roman just got back home, so I’ll let this one slide,” he says. “But we’re going to keep fighting this together. Minimal distractions from here on out. Remember, they’re ruthless, and their reach doesn’t stop at family.”

I nod, a quiet spark of resolve lighting in my chest.

I know some part of me will never rest. As long as there are men out there trading in girls, I will have rage. And as long as I have rage, I have purpose.

And as long as I have Roman, I can deal with everything else.

The darkness is still there, right outside this bar. The uncertainty, too. But so is something else: something alive and sharp with purpose.

In this fucked-up game, that might just be enough.

THE END