Page 73 of Yearner

“To your freedom, Gabriel. Congratulations.”

Gabriel didn’t respond. He simply stood up and stormed out of the restaurant, leaving his champagne behind.

Avery also quickly set down his own glass and hurried after him.

Summer watched Gabriel disappear through the door. When it slammed shut behind him, she let out a low whistle.

“He doesn’t look like a man who’s finally gotten what he’s been asking for over the past two years.”

Silas laced his fingers with Allison’s and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. She glanced down at their joined hands before looking up at him.

“Promise me you won’t leave me, even if I ask you to,” he murmured, his gaze fixed on hers. “I don’t think I could bear it if you did.”

He narrowed his eyes at her, making sure she understood he was serious.

Allison studied his expression for a moment before watching him set down his champagne glass.

“All right, everyone, I’m calling it a night. It’s getting late, and I could use some sleep.”

After saying goodbye to everyone, Allison slipped her hand into Silas’s. He clasped it securely, and they walked out of the restaurant together.

They had almost reached the car when Allison suddenly caught Silas by the front of his jacket and pushed him back against it. Stepping in front of him, she tilted her head back to meet his eyes.

“Now tell me what you said to convince Shane to let me marry you.”

A slow smile spread across Silas’s face.

“I don’t exactly hate this position as much as I thought I would.”

His gaze dropped to her lips before returning to her eyes. Allison’s hands loosened on his jacket, but she continued staring at him.

“Don’t try to distract me.”

Silas reached for her waist and pulled her against him. Before she could say anything else, he lowered his head and kissed her.

When he finally lifted his mouth from hers, he brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

“I told him I’ve loved you for ten years, and with someone trying to kill you, I’m the one person who can protect you. I want to be the man you can turn to for everything, the man who will always keep you safe.”

His expression grew serious as he continued.

“I told him you’d been fighting this battle alone for far too long. You don’t have to do that anymore. You have my power, my resources, and everything I can offer you at your disposal. No one will lay a finger on you without going through me first.”

Allison stared at him, her fingers tightening around the front of his jacket.

“He asked me if I loved you,” Silas continued, his voice softening. “He wanted to know if marrying you was just a transaction. I told him I’d loved you from the moment I first saw you.”

Something shifted in Allison’s expression. Her fingers slowly relaxed against his jacket. Then she stepped closer, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

Silas’s arms tightened around her as he drew her closer, deepening the kiss.

Epilogue

“Absolutely not.”

Silas’s firm declaration echoed through the living room, earning him an equally fierce glare from the eight-year-old standing in front of him.

“Absolutely yes!” Ryder shot back, planting his small hands on his hips.