Page 53 of Protected by the Sinner (The Sinner’s Touch #2)

I pace back and forth in the apartment.

This was the first place he brought me after that day he took me from my hotel in Richardson. It feels like years have passed since then, not just a few months. So much has changed.

Before, I thought I should just be grateful for surviving those monsters, but now I don’t just want more—I demand it. Complete happiness.

The adrenaline has worn off, and now the weight of what Elodie and I did finally hits me.

I’m a bundle of nerves—it’s been almost seven hours since Beau left.

When we arrived, Roman told me a doctor was coming to examine Elodie and me, per Beau’s instructions.

I didn’t argue. I know that going to Tobias’s cabin without my fiancé knowing will make things difficult between us for a while, even though I never intended to put myself, our baby, or Elodie in danger.

I’m upset about sneaking out earlier today, hiding the fact that I went to confirm with my sister whether our hunch was right—that Tobias was still in Texas.

But at the same time, I know there was no other choice. We needed to stop him, and if Beau had gone there with his men, the bastard might have escaped.

When we parked in front of the cabin and saw a car hidden deep in the woods, camouflaged, we knew we’d found him.

I was more afraid of telling Beau what we’d done and where we were than I was of Tobias catching us.

He doesn’t scare me like he used to. In fact, none of those elders do. It’s easy to intimidate children when you’re over six feet tall.

But I’m not the same girl who once ran away with Elodie. Meeting Beau changed everything. I don’t just feel protected by his side—I feel ready to fight. And that means doing whatever it takes to protect my family, even if it means going after that piece of trash myself.

Time was passing, my pregnancy advancing, and they still hadn’t found him. Then, in a conversation with my sister, we remembered this place. It’s on the farm’s land, but so far from the main house and so well hidden that no one would ever stumble across it unless they were actively searching.

When I told Beau on the phone where we were, I was terrified he’d be disappointed in me again for keeping something from him. But hours have passed since then, and I’ve had time to think more clearly.

After the doctor confirmed I was fine, he examined my sister and gave her a sedative so she could rest.

I, however, feel restless and ready for war.

I love my fiancé, but I won’t accept being wrapped in cotton wool. If he wants me by his side, he needs to accept that I can fight—and most of all, make my own decisions too.

I head to the kitchen to get some water and see Roman sitting in the downstairs living room, in the dark.

I plan to walk right past him because now that my memory’s back, I remember Beau was telling the truth when he said we never really got along, but his voice stops me.

“You have no idea what he was like before he met you.”

I freeze, barely believing he’s actually speaking to me. He ignored me the entire drive to Dallas and ever since we got here. “What do you mean?”

He reaches out and turns on the lamp. “I’ve known him for almost two decades. I was his neighbor at the last house they lived in before Landon, his adoptive father, finally left them. I had my own dysfunctional family, but nothing like what went on in that house.”

“Tell me.”

“Beau is the most guarded human being I know. Even more so than me. Do you understand what it means for someone like that to open up? To trust anyone? From a young age, they stole his soul, Amber.”

Amber . Not Miss Martin, like he usually calls me.

I move closer. “Who, Roman?”

“His adoptive father, mostly. He used to beat him, just like he did to his wife, every day he was home. And still, Aurellie allowed the son she claimed to love to stay under that crazy man’s roof.

It’s not just that he was adopted. He was raised by the monster who destroyed his family.

He was a victim until he was old enough to walk away. ”

My throat tightens.

Beau told me about his past in a cold, detached way, but seeing it through someone else’s eyes is so much more shocking and painful.

“Still, he looked after her. Made sure she had everything she needed. That means, even if he doesn’t think so, there’s still a heart beating inside him, and now, it belongs to you and that little girl you’re carrying. But that love comes with a big burden of responsibility too.”

“I know.”

“No, you don’t. You think Beau forgave you that day at the hospital, when your memory came back?

You’re wrong. Like I told you, I’ve known him for a long time.

He forgave you—without even realizing it—the second he found out you had deceived him.

That’s because he didn’t have a choice. He’s crazy about you.

Don’t take that for granted. Don’t ever pull something like you did today again. ”

“I want to fight beside him, not be lesser.”

“You don’t need to put yourself or your daughter at risk to be a fighter. Want to make it simple? Switch places with him. Think about how you’d feel if something happened to Beau or Violet.”

Tears fill my eyes. “I get it.”

The sound of the door opening wakes me. I spring to my feet. You learn to be that way after a lifetime on the run. But today, it’s not fear that makes me rush to him—it’s the need to make things right between us.

In a heartbeat, I’m standing in front of him.

His beard is showing, and he looks exhausted.

He doesn’t say a word, just stares at me, and I know I’ll have to be the one to act.

I close the distance between us and hug him. He doesn’t hug me back, but I’m not even close to giving up.

Everyone might fear him, but he’s my love. My life. The father of my daughter.

“Forgive me.”

“It’s not enough.”

“I know, but I need your forgiveness. I never asked you for it for the way I got close to you the first time. You offered your forgiveness that day in the hospital without me asking. Today, I’m begging for it. Forgive me for how we met.”

He pulls away, and I instantly feel cold. Empty.

“This isn’t about the past, Amber. It’s about what happened today.”

“Is he dead?”

“Yes.”

I nod. “What happened today has everything to do with the past, Beau. But afterwards, I put myself in your shoes, and I know how terrifying it must’ve been for you to find out what I’d done. I’d die if something happened to you or our Violet. I get it now.”

“Get what?”

“I love you, and I can’t promise I’ll never put myself at risk again, because if it’s your life or our daughter’s on the line, I’d do it without thinking.

But I can promise I’ll share everything with you.

I give you my word that I won’t keep anything from you, but I can’t swear I’ll stand still while you’re in danger. ”

He walks over to the bed and sits down, like he’s trying to create distance, but I won’t back off.

I kneel in front of him. “Don’t push me away.

I’m not perfect, but I love you. I want our family, a life with you.

I know you said you don’t give second chances, but I didn’t lie to you or put myself in real danger, even though I admit I was wrong. ”

That finally seems to reach him. “You have to let me protect you. I’ve survived hell, but I’ll never recover if I lose you two.”

“That’s not going to happen, Beau. We both need to learn how to trust, and that has nothing to do with how sure I am of your love for me, because I am, but it does mean accepting that I shouldn’t keep secrets from you.”

“Do you think you’re capable of that? Because I’m starting to doubt it.”

“You taught me how to love. Maybe you can teach me how to share, too.”

“You want to learn, Amber? Because it’s not just up to me.”

I get up, push him back onto the bed, and straddle his body. “I do. I’m scared of giving my life over to someone else, but nothing terrifies me more than losing you. Don’t give up on me.”

Finally, his hand finds my hair, pulling me down onto his chest. “Giving up on you would be giving up on breathing. I couldn’t go on living.”

Months Later Violet’s Birth Day

I look around the hospital room, where my whole family is gathered: Elodie, Amos, and his wife—whom I finally met—and of course, my love.

The man who gave me the most precious gift of all.

Violet was born naturally, big, full head of hair, blue eyes like her father, and smiling. Our little flower.

My heart outside my body.

“She’s so beautiful!” Lilly says.

My sister and I exchange a look. I think we’re both a little stuck in disbelief that we finally belong to a real family.

“She is,” I say, beaming like a proud mom. “I can’t wait for our first Christmas together. Can we host it at our place?” I ask, already imagining a room lit up with a huge Christmas tree and my whole family gathered around it.

It’s my Beau who answers, holding our daughter in his arms. “Whatever you want, Amber. Ask for the world, and it’s yours.”

One by one, our family members leave the room until it’s just the three of us.

“I don’t need the world or riches,” I say, “jewelry or a life of luxury. I have everything I want, right here and now. I love you, Beau. I’ve finally become a daisy.”