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He was. But he had the ability to love her from afar. I would never give her up. Even if she hadn't chosen me, I would have stolen her and kept her until she'd changed her mind.
Better to know thyself.
"What made you think to do that?"
Lakewood shrugged. "I figured he got the news of the wedding about the same time everyone else did, and I knew wherever he was, he was probably drinking. So I just called in his car tags. He'll be occupied for a while. And if he did this, I'm hoping he hasn't had the chance to remove any evidence yet."
I nodded at him. "Smart thinking."
He shrugged. "Whatever it takes to take care of her."
These were my men. Even Lakewood. They were willing to do anything to protect her as well.
And in that moment, knowing I was surrounded by five other men who would lay down their lives for Gwen, I finally let myself break. My shoulders sagged, and the weight of the grief crushed me where I sat.
The first tear, salty and acrid, hit my lip, and I didn't even notice it. All I could do was drop my head into my hands and weep. What would I do if I lost her?
Who would I kill?
What scorch mark would I leave on this planet if someone took her from me?
An indelible one, that was for sure. Because I was nothing without her. And she could not die and leave me. I wouldn't let her.
1
Gwen
My mouth tasted and felt like someone had peed in sawdust and then packed it into my mouth.
And someone else was playing annoying bagpipes very loudly in short staccato beats. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Christ, why was it so loud? And I was cold. So cold.
There was a heat source nearby that came and went, and each time it came close, I tried with Herculean effort to reach for it. To hold on to it. It was back now. The heat climbing up my arm. Beautiful and sweet and perfect. Just what I needed to chase away the chill.
There was a rumble. "Gwen, you can do it, baby. Come on, Ness. Show me what a strong lioness you are. Open your eyes, love."
The voice sounded far away and gravelly, low-pitched. I had to strain to hear it. "That's a good girl, Ness."
The sound reminded me of Atticus. I wanted to smile, but something was in my way. I couldn't move my face.
The warmth was there, joined by another source of warmth. Higher up. Coming from my shoulder. Oh, yes. If I could just cocoon in this, I would be so warm and happy, and I’d never have to be chilly again.
"Do it, Gwen. Open your damn eyes."
I tried to frown at that. It did sound like Atticus. Why was he always so bossy?
I tried to listen to him, to move my eyelids, but God, they were heavy. Like someone had taped them shut and then placed sand bags over them.
I tried again. And that warmth, it kept spreading. It was pulsing in my hand. What was that?
"That's it, baby. Try for me."
I managed to peel one eyelid open, but the blinding light made me cringe and shut it again, trying to back away.
"Turn off the fucking lights."
I frowned. That was Atticus. Wasn't it? Why was he so far away? I wanted him closer. Much, much closer. He would be warm. God, all I wanted to do was climb in Atticus's arms and have him hold me, and kiss me, and continue what we'd started in the limo.
