Page 53 of Safe (King’s Heart #1)

Landon

It’s a little concerning how okay I am right now.

But when I look over and see his smiling face—the relief there, I know I did the right thing.

I’ve been so careful all of my life. Never stepping out of line to ensure that I can take care of the people in my life.

But what do you do when the person in your life needs something that could jeopardize everything?

Apparently it was an easy decision for me.

Grant couldn’t do it.

I could see it in his movements. They weren’t sure. They were scared.

So I did it for him and then went back in and did my best to make sure this never comes back on him.

And even now, as the realization of what’s happened sets in—the possibilities of what could happen to me playing over in my brain—I’d do it all over again.

For him.

We reach his car, and I pull him to me as he tries to open the door.

“Landon, we have to?—”

I cut him off with a kiss, running my hands over his buzzed hair.

I pay attention to everything around me.

The taste of his sweat from running. The sound of the crickets chirping in the grass.

The feel of our hearts pounding against each other, desperately trying to reach the other through our chests. Memorizing this moment.

When I pull back, his bright eyes stare back at me in a daze. “Wh-what—why did you do that?”

My hands cup his face, tenderly rubbing one of my thumbs across his cheek. “I love you, Grant. I’d do anything for you. I’ll throw away everything to protect you. I’m so sorry about how life has treated you. But… I’m here now. I’ll never let anything happen to you again.”

A tear slides out of his eye. It reflects the moonlight, glittering in the darkness. “I love you. What did I do to deserve you?”

I smirk and snort. “Absolutely nothing. But I’m here anyway. Let’s get out of here, baby.”

He nods and we let go of each other, climbing into the car and driving off into the night.