Page 133 of Without a Hitch
Tears burn the corners of my eyes. She called me daughter-in-law.
“Ah, Tilly? Focus.” Colton nudges me along.
“Oh, right. What was the code word, Colton?”
“Who let the dogs out?” He laughs. “Nah, it was something much more original and not at allplain.” He winks, and I watch with delight as Christine darts for the door only to be thwarted by lumberjack Blake.
“Original and not at all wallflower-ish,” Nova grins. “Say it, girl.”
“Badass bridesmaids bring down the house,” I call.
Colton, Preston, and Blake usher us against the wall as the door bursts open, and within seconds, we’re swarmed by the FBI.
“Should I be concerned that my boss and brother-in-law have the FBI in their back pockets?”
Colton winks. “Nah, it’s not us. Our brother Ashton is the genius in our family. He’s also ex-special ops. We’re just the pretty faces with the big muscles.”
Blake groans and pushes off the wall. “You all good?” he asks, staring at me like he can see into my soul.
“Yeah, I’m good. Are you going to go see Lochlan?”
“No. I’m going back to my island. I fucking hate peopling.”
Colton tackle hugs him. “Don’t be a stranger, asshat.”
A shriek has us all turning in time to watch Christine get escorted out in handcuffs and chains. I’m shocked to realize it isn’t as fun as I thought it would be. My heart actually hurts. Not for her, but for the person she could have been and for what happened in her life that caused her to turn out like this.
“Don’t do it, Tilly. Not everyone can be redeemed. Sometimes, you just have to let them go,” Kitty says sagely. She wraps me in a hug and kisses my cheek. “I meant what I said. It may not happen today or tomorrow, but my son loves you. You’re ours to keep now. Come on, let’s get back to the hospital before Lochlan burns the place down looking for you.”
“Thank you, Kitty.”
“No, thank you, my dear. You brought my son back to the land of the loving, and for that, I’m forever in your debt.”
CHAPTER44
LOCHLAN
Just when I think I’ve hit the pinnacle of my rage, Colton drops another detail of their outing today.
“Then Blake lifted her up over his shoulder, and she kept clawing away like she was going to rip them limb from limb.”
Okay, yes. A large part of me is impressed that Blake left Block Island for me, but that’s not overshadowed by the fact that my mother, sister, and the woman I love were put in a potentially dangerous situation I should have handled.
“She never should have been there,” I roar and immediately regret it. My raw throat burns in protest, but it adds fuel to my anger.
“Hey.” Tilly stands with hands fisted on her deliciously sinful hips and a pissed-off expression on her face. “This was my idea, lover. Mine. I was not about to let that twatsicle get away with what she did to you. If they weren’t there, I would have found a way to do it on my own, so you can get those protective, caveman-ish, outdated thoughts right out of your handsome skull.”
My body calms, watching Tilly take control. She excels working in the background, but my girl was born to shine. My neck finally relaxes enough to rest against the pillow, and I smile at my girl, my partner.
I could feel weak in this moment, but watching her, knowing what she did, all I feel is pride. Pride that when I’m down, she steps up, and pride in the knowledge that I will always be there to lift her up when she needs me. Forever.
“Plus, they messed with Kitty. And she…” Every muscle in my body goes tense as Tilly gets choked up. “She said she was proud of me. Like—like a daughter-in-law.” She sniffles and glances away.
If my mother were here right now, I’d hug the life right out of her. I haven’t told my family about Tilly’s history, so she has no idea how much a statement like that would mean to someone like Tilly. But the Westbrooks and I do.
Holding out my hand, I beckon her closer. When I can reach her, I tug her to me and kiss her softly. “Soon, darling. I’ll fulfill my promise soon.”
Until this moment, I hadn’t thought about a timeline. I just assumed we’d go through the motions and let things play out naturally. But watching Tilly, feeling her emotions, I get why it’s so important to her. She needs that family, and I’ll go to the ends of the Earth to be the one to give it to her.
