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His eyebrows rose. “You’re talking like you have a choice.”
“Tanner, be serious.”
“Lilac, I know that a lot of the time, it might seem like I’m not taking things seriously. But I can assure you that when it comes to someone I care about, I am very serious about their health and safety. You are coming home with me so I can look after you.”
Fuck.
Tanner hated how lost and vulnerable she looked. She was staring at him with a mix of confusion and longing. As though she couldn’t imagine someone wanting to take care of her.
Her brother had a lot to answer for.
Fucking asshole.
Tanner knew he was going to have to undo years of damage that asshole had done. Along with that bitch nanny who was meant to take care of her. Who should have protected her.
Then there was her father, who had put his son before his vulnerable daughter.
Fuck. Had no one ever put this girl first?
But that was all right. He wasn’t entering into this relationship with anything but forever in mind. So, he had time to undo all of her beliefs. That she had to do it all on her own and take care of everyone else. Put herself last.
Yep. He wanted forever.
And a Malone always got what he wanted.
“You know, I think I started falling for you the minute I met you. Definitely when I saw you try to throw that first dart.”
A sob escaped her, and he stared at her in confusion. He didn’t think that would upset her.
“You won’t feel that way once you know the full truth,” she told him.
He frowned at the despair on her face. The fear in her eyes. He was trying to reassure her. “What do you mean? Is this about your brother? Baby, I don’t know how you came to be on the run from him or how Opal and Ryleigh come into it. But I am going to protect you from him. You are never going back to him.”
“No, you don’t understand, Tanner,” she said. “I’m not talking about Stefan and why I left. I’m talking about meeting you. It wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a chance encounter.”
He froze. “What does that mean?”
“I’ve always known who you were. I searched you out. I went there to get to know you.”
“Why . . . why would you do that?” he asked.
He was vaguely aware of the door opening slightly. But he couldn’t look away from Lilac.
He had a feeling that whatever she was about to say was going to blow his world apart.
Another sob. God, she was so sad that he couldn’t stand it.
“Just tell me, Lilac.”
“I c-can’t.”
“Lilac,” he said sternly. “I’m your guardian. More than that, I’m the guy who fucking loves you. So, you need to be honest with me.”
“You l-love me?” Her eyes were wide, her breathing fast. Abby had disconnected her from all of the monitors already.
He took her hand in his, holding it. Fuck, she was so cold.
“I love you,” he stated.
