Page 68 of Possessive Mr. Pen

Hilary’s screams bounce around in my skull.I roll onto my side and rise without help as my strength returns.

It’s not fast enough.I need my warrior queen.Now.

Several cops rush across the room toward her.I push past them and reach her first.

Punch after punch, Hilary rips Jocelyn’s face open with the ring she so coveted as she straddles her on the ground.

My gladiator goddess sobs with every swing.I catch her wrists and pull her to her feet.She wobbles but blindly swings at me, still trapped in fight or flight.

“Hilary, it’s me.I’m here.I’m okay,” I rasp.

She meets my eyes.All the fight drains from her.She slumps against my chest.

“Connor.You were shot.You were—”

“I’m fine.Bulletproof vest.See?”

The strain in my voice belies my words, but I poke a finger into the hole a few inches below my heart.

Hilary sobs and whacks my arm.

“Don’t do that again!I was so scared.”

I wrap her in my arms and squeeze.

“I don’t plan to.We’re done.We did it, Hilary.”

“Alex is dead,” she whispers.

“Yes,” I confirm.

“I punched Jocelyn,” she says.

“Multiple times.It was glorious.My gorgeous goddess avenged my mother in true gladiator fashion, just like I knew you always would.”

She shudders.

“I thought you wanted to do it,” she mumbles against my shoulder.

“As long as she ended up bloody, behind bars, and miserable, I didn’t care,” I murmur into her hair.

She roams her hands over my back and sides as though confirming I’m fine.After a few moments, she lifts her head and steals my soul with her rich brown eyes.

“Can we adopt Destiny?If she’ll have us?”Hilary asks.

I smooth my hand down her hair and work through the emotions barreling through me.

Before Hilary can launch into a speech about it not being Destiny’s fault Jocelyn is her mother, I tilt her head back and nip her bottom lip to ensure I have her full attention.

“She’s sixteen.Only two more years until she’s an adult.If she wants to spend those years with us, then hopefully she’s willing to learn the trade and take over the business when we’re old and grey.”

Hilary’s joy overflows into my soul, and the abandoned child inside me basks in her unending love.

I will never regret placing my trust in Hilary.From her sisters to me and now to my archnemesis’ daughter, she will always protect those who deserve it.

I love her.I need her.

We’ve waited too long.I almost lost her.The memory of her launching herself over the table toward a gun replays in my mind.