Page 137 of Romancing His Heart

“I just want you, Loki. Just you, wherever you are, is where I need to be.”

“As soon as you’re healed, we’re opening that kink kit of yours, and I’m going to fuck the fuck out of you.”

“Ew. That’s my baby sister, you asshole.” Emory makes a gagging noise.

“What the hell is a kink kit, and how do I get one?” Colt asks excitedly.

“Please, don’t tell Lanie. I don’t think my junk can take anymore right now,” Dex whines.

Leaning in, I kiss Sloane in the most impolite way I can manage without hurting her. “I have to talk to Ash. I’ll be back soon, and we’ll go home, okay?”

Her smile is like the sunshine that breaks through the fog. How the hell did I get so lucky?

“Home.” It’s one word that holds so much weight for both of us. She’s spent her life running from home, and I’ve spent mine protecting it. Together, we’re about to bury our ghosts and make a forever home.

Ashton

Chapter 45

“Idon’t give a shit what his wishes are. I’ve waited a goddamn week to see him. His mother is crying every day because he won’t let anyone in. You know what? I’m a US SIA Agent, and I am going to speak to him. If you don’t like that, call the police and see what they have to say about impeding an investigation.” Loki’s voice is rising with each word.

I knew he’d come, and I knew he’d be the one to pull out all the stops to get in, but knowledge does nothing to ease my rage. Knowledge, or lack thereof, is what landed me here in this position.

My hospital door bursts open, and Loki stomps in.

“SIA is disbanding. You didn’t have a leg to stand on out there. If they call the authorities, they can arrest you.”

“I’ll take my chances.” I can hear the smirk in his voice even without making eye contact. “What the fuck is going on, Ash? Sylvie is a mess. Don’t take your anger at me out on her.”

“Anger at you? What the hell are you talking about? Why the fuck would I be angry at you? And, before you get on your high horse, have you ever stopped to consider that I’m not letting her in for her own benefit? What mother needs to see the monster her son has become?”

“You’re here, like this, because of me, Ash. Who else would you be angry with?” he yells.

The door opens, and a nurse sticks her head in.

“We have some shit to work out. I will not hurt him, and he will not hurt me, but there will be yelling. Shut the door and get used to it,” Loki grinds out.

Loki has been my best friend since I was eleven years old. If my face allowed a smile, I would have. When he’s pissed off, he doesn’t care who hears it.

“This is not your fault, Loki. Go home. Take care of Sloane. Thank her for saving you all for me, but leave me the fuck alone.”

If only one of her bullets had taken me out, too.

“Bullshit, Ash. You were involved in this because of me. You were helping me. You were never part of SIA. I never prepared you for this shit, so this is all my fault.”

“I relieve you of your misplaced guilt. Now go.”

“Hey, dickhead. That’s not how this works. That’s not how our family works. Whatever dark place those fuckwads dragged you to? I will spend my life pulling you to the surface. You will not drown in their evil. Do you hear me? You’re allowed to be upset. You’re allowed to grieve or do whatever the fuck you need to do. What you’re not allowed to do is shut us out. You can run, and you can hide, but we will never leave you alone. You’re in a dark place now, Ash, I get that. I don’t know what they did to you, but I swear on my life, we will stay in the trenches with you until the sun shines again.”

“Noted. Now leave.”

“Fucking dick. I’m not leaving. I’m not done. Sylvie has not left this hospital, did you know that? Emory sneaks her into empty rooms so she can sleep for the few hours her Xanax allows. She doesn’t give a rat’s ass what your body looks like. She just needs to see you, Ash. A little piece of her dies every time you deny her.”

“I failed her, and you. I failed everyone.” My tone is cold and emotionless. It’s the only way I’ll survive this guilt. “Just let me have that. Let me deal with the fallout in my own way.”

A vase shatters against the cement wall, and I turn my head to face him.

“Glad I finally have your attention.” The door creaks and Loki screams before it even fully opens, “Get the fuck out.”