Page 21 of The Risks of Reuniting (Love Connections #1)

I'm going to have at least one black eye, and never be able to wear this shirt again, as all the buttons were popped when someone grabbed it, tearing it at the same time.

My chest is exposed and I look down, grateful to find I wasn't cut by a knife, although I do have scratches and will probably have a few bruises as well.

Emilia just looks mad. Her hair and clothing are rumpled, and she's busily putting her shoe-weapon back on.

I don't know how she did it, or what about her life in Argentina taught her to fight that way, but I'm glad she's okay.

Also, I want her with me if this ever happens again – she's a tough cookie. The thought nearly makes me smile.

Cesar isn't in much better shape than the rest of us.

He stands bent over at the waist too, with his hands on his knees, huffing for air.

His lip is bloody and it looks like at some point he was on the ground, because his clothing is dusty and his hair is tufted up like a cockatiel's head feathers.

He's missing a shoe too. Cesar is a lover, not a fighter, but his loyalty made him brave today.

I'm almost afraid to look at Chloe, unsure if my heart can handle whatever I might see, but I can't wait any longer.

"Everyone okay?" I ask as I move swiftly to Chloe's side. They all mumble in shaken voices, saying they're alright, but Chloe stays silent, hugging her bleeding arm against her chest and looking like she's seen a ghost.

"Chlo, baby," I say, taking her arm gently in my hands. "Let me see it."

She looks up at me and I think she might be in shock, but she nods and holds it out for my inspection.

I keep my fingers soft, and tamp down on an angry hiss when I take it in.

The gash is about three inches long and deep enough to require stitches, but I don't think it cut muscle or bone.

It will scar, and I hate that she'll carry the reminder forever.

"Does it hurt?" I ask.

"Yeah," she admits. "That was . . ."

I sigh deeply and give in to the urge to pull her up against me.

I wrap her in my arms and hug her tight against my chest, nuzzling my nose into her hair and breathing her in.

My girl. She could have been seriously hurt.

I wouldn't have survived it. I press a kiss to her head and tuck her against me tighter.

I don't care that others are watching, I need her close.

"I've never been so scared in my life," I whisper against her hair. Her arms move to encircle my waste and she leans against me.

"Are you okay?" she asks.

"Yeah, baby, I'm all right."

It takes a moment to realize that everything around us has gone quiet, and I open my eyes to see that the other three are staring at us with avid interest. I close my eyes and breathe out one more deep breath before I tilt my head down and press my lips close to her ear .

"The coast is clear. Let's get you back to the clinic. You're going to need stitches, and probably a good round of antibiotics too. Who knows how dirty that knife was."

"Baby?" I hear Cesar ask Rachelle. "How is she a baby?"

"Carino," Emilia tells him. His sweetheart.

"Um, is there something going on between you two?" Rachelle asks when I look up.

Her expression is serious, not the usual teasing she's so fond of, and Chloe pulls back slightly, blinking rapidly, first up at me and then at Rachelle and Emilia, and lastly, at Cesar who looks confused.

"No," she says, her voice shell-shocked. "No."

The second time she denies it, it makes me mad. My emotions are still unsteady, but the one thing I do know is that this woman is mine, and I'm done pretending otherwise.

"Yes," I state firmly. I make eye contact with Rachelle, and then Cesar, and then Emilia before looking straight at Chloe. "I'm in love with her."

Chloe tears herself away from me and shakes her head rapidly. "What?"

I keep my eyes on her and nod once. "You heard me."

"Oh my gosh," Rachelle gasps.

"He's just reacting to a heated situation. He doesn't mean it." Chloe looks at Rachelle and points at me with a forced eye roll.

"No, I'm not," I state again. "I'm still in love with you."

She shakes her head until I'm convinced she's made herself dizzy with denial. "Stop saying that."

I hate the tears that spring to her eyes, and if she'd let me wipe them away I would. I'd hold her tight and never let go. The panic in her expression guts me, but I keep my distance while holding firm .

"What is this?" Cesar asks, clearly as surprised as Rachelle. "You love her?"

"Holt loves Chloe," Emilia says clearly, and even though her voice isn't loud, it carries.

"He does not," Chloe repeats, her voice raspy with emotion.

"I do," I reply, my voice strong. "I never stopped." I point down the hill at the bright yellow church we just left. "I would have married you in a church like that. I would have made promises before God, Chloe, and meant them."

The group gasps. I've gone too far, I've said too much. Chloe's entire face falls and she grimaces as she hugs her arm close again, blood dripping on the dirt at her feet.

"Stop, Holt," she says, her face shuttering on me. "Please."

I hold up my hands, defeated. I take a few breaths to steady myself and I step forward. "Let's get you to the clinic."

Cesar looks at me and shakes his head before I can reach for her. Emilia and Rachelle move to Chloe's side and each wrap an arm around her, guiding her up the hill and away from me. Always away from me, when all I want is for her to be mine.