Page 21 of Christy

I unlock the front door and walk in with Christy’s hand in mine, needing the physical connection to her as much as I can get. As soon as we walk inside and I close the door, I pull her back into my arms, ignoring the pain from my ribs because I need to feel her even closer. She lets me hold her for a few minutes before she steps back and looks up at me.

“I’m gonna need you to explain everything, and I’m gonna need details. The last couple of days have been some of the hardest days of my life.” I start to speak, but she shakes her head at me.

“Not tonight. I haven’t slept for more than twenty minutes. I want to go to bed, feel your arms around me, and sleep. Tomorrow morning, though, you'd better have your story together because I’m gonna need to know some things. Tonight I only have one question, then we can go to bed.”

I don’t speak because I have a feeling that if I do, it wouldn’t go well for me. So I wait for her to continue. She looks at me,her eyes glassy. “Are youevergoing to do something like this to me again, with no word and me not knowing if you’re even still alive?”

I immediately shake my head and answer her. “No, never. I didn’t want to do it this time, but things got pushed, so it had to happen right then, not when we originally planned. I don’t ever want to leave you for any length of time. These men needed to be taken down so I would know that my family, you, and our future family would be safe. I would do anything to protect our future together.”

That earns me a smile. “You really think about having a family with me?” I pull her in closer and kiss her briefly. When I break the kiss, I touch our foreheads. “You are my future. I want to live the rest of my life with you. I want to become a parent and, one day, a grandparent with you. I want it all-with you and only you. Like I said before, you’re fucking it for me, baby.” She moves back, keeping my hands in hers.

“Let’s go to bed. I want to sleep and feel you next to me all night. I’ll make sure you’re all bandaged up in the morning, and I’m gonna call Jane. I know you have to meet with your brothers tomorrow, but if they hurt one hair on your head, I’m gonna channel Kierstie or Anna.” That’s more than slightly terrifying, but I’m smart enough to know not to say anything of the sort. Ijust nod and let her lead me to my bedroom. A realization hits me that I want to make this our bedroom as soon as I can.