Page 46 of Stay Little Fighter

He watches my every move with an intensity I should be used to from him, but it’s different now. He’s no longer forcing contempt to the surface to hide his true feelings for me.

We have a long way to go, but my stomach flutters with possibilities.

A few weeks ago, it felt impossible that these four men could tolerate each other for five minutes, let alone a lifetime, and now?

Now I can’t help but let my mind run wild with the idea that this could work.

That my heart could finally feel complete.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

DAMON

NOW

Idon’t know what possessed me to volunteer to help Chloe shower.

Not only am I the one on the thinnest ice, but it seems like an inappropriate time to see each other naked for the first time.

And yet when the nurse mentioned her needing help, the words were out before I could stop them.

I need to make amends for the pain I’ve caused her. I need to prove to her and the others that I can be what she needs me to be. I can take care of her. I can be soft with her.

And if that means helping her shower after she took a bullet for me, then that’s what’s going to happen.

Ryker shoots daggers at me from over the top of her head, but I can’t take my eyes off Chloe and her quiet determination.

Each step is more confident than the last, and pride fills my chest as I watch her move toward me.

The nurse releases one of Chloe’s arms and moves to the side, allowing her to reach for me.

I take a step forward, ignoring the pain in my leg. They gave me something for the pain but I haven’t been able to bring myself to take it.

I deserve to feel the pain for the part I played in hers.

“Good work, Duchess,” I murmur.

Faded green eyes lock with mine, and my chest cracks open at the emotion staring back at me.

I’ve hurt her so much. What gives me the right to stand in front of her? What gives me the right to be here at all?

“Thank you for coming back,” she whispers. “When I woke up and you weren’t here, I thought…”

“I meant every single word I’ve said, Chloe. You never need to doubt that, even if I’ve given you every reason to do just that.”

She nods, nibbling at her bottom lip as the nurse steps out of the bathroom with a wide smile. “I’ve got the shower started for you, and there’s a chair if you need it, but press the button if she starts to get dizzy or isn’t feeling well.”

“Got it.” I nod, dropping my attention back to the woman clinging to me. I’ve let her fall too many times before, I refuse to ever do it again.

The fact she trusts me to take care of her at all is nothing short of a miracle, and I make a quiet promise to myself to never break that trust.

Never again.

I ignore the others as I carefully guide Chloe into the bathroom, but I only close the door halfway. Any further and I’ll have the overgrown golden retriever in here, and there’s not enough space for more than just the two of us.

“You’re limping,” she says softly, her eyes flicking up to meet mine. “Did they hurt you after I passed out?”

I huff out a laugh. “No, but your bodyguard takes his responsibilities very seriously.”