Page 77 of Salvation

“Not if I have to take over as Captain. I never wanted it, remember?”

“I do, and you don’t have to. But are you sure you will be happy here?” The thought of her leaving me again would destroy me, and I needed to get that out in the open.

“I have no choice. I gave Derek my bar.”

“You did what?!” I was mildly shocked, but that didn’t answer my question. But her following words did.

She nodded. “I knew if you were alive, I wasn’t going back to Nevada.”

“And if I hadn’t been alive? What would you have done?”

She took a deep breath. “I would have stayed until I hunted down every person who had a hand in your death.”

The fierce determination in her eyes spoke volumes about the depth of her feelings. I pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“Well, lucky for both of us, that wasn’t necessary,” I murmured against her skin. “Though I have to admit, the thought of you going all avenging angel on my behalf is oddly appealing.”

She laughed softly; the sound muffled against my chest. “Don’t get any ideas. I much prefer you alive and in one piece.”

I pointed towards the truck I was working on. “You know, I was planning to drive this beauty down to the desert to surprise you. “

Kat’s eyes widened as she took in the vehicle, seeming to truly notice it for the first time. “Is that... is that Nellie?”

“It is,” I nodded, unable to keep the pride from my voice. “Rebuilt from the ground up. Figured if I couldn’t bring you back to us, I’d at least bring a piece of us to you. And just so you know, I wouldhave stayed.”

“It’s beautiful, Rory. Thank you.” She asked as she walked over to the truck, running her hand along its gleaming surface. She then stopped and looked at me. “Wait. You would have left the family for me?”

I grinned. “Yeah. I told Declan that once it was done, I was leaving and never coming back. Likely why him and Wren took matters into their own hands.”

“I’m glad they did,” she murmured, as I moved to stand behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist.

“Want to take it for a spin? Christening it as the new Captain’s ride?”

Kat turned in my arms, a wicked glint in her eye. “I have a better idea for christening it,” she said, pulling me down for a searing kiss.

As we lost ourselves in each other, all thoughts of Captains and Clans faded away.

And as the sun set over the estate, casting long shadows across the barn, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we’d face them together.

Because my spitfire was home.

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