Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
“Yes, I love you. More than anything.” I start to cry harder. “If you keep that up I’m not going to be able to say it anymore.” I’m about to protest when I see the teasing smile on his lips.
A hard knock on the door has me jumping, pressing myself more into Dane. My fingers grip his shirt in a tight hold.
“It’s fine.” He drops another kiss on me. I expect him to quickly answer the door, but he takes his time, not caring that someone is still knocking and ringing the doorbell. The pounding on the door becomes more persistent with each second that passes.
“Open this door or we’ll kick it down.” I hear Fawn’s familiar voice bellow through the door.
Guilt immediately settles in my stomach that I hadn’t even thought to call her and tell her or anyone else where I was. I get to my feet and head toward the door, knowing that if she doesn’t see me for herself, she’ll never leave. “We know you have her, Dane. Roman is going to Hulk smash this door in about ten seconds if you don’t hand her over.”
I know I shouldn’t, but I smile, picturing her dragging Roman here to come to my rescue. That man loves her so much that he would do anything she asked. Before I can reach for the door, an arm wraps around me, lifting me off the floor and moving me back a few feet before putting me down.
“At this point, I consider everyone to be a threat to you. I’ll answer the door.” He stares down at me as though he’s waiting for something. He thinks I’m going to push back but I’m not. I might think it’s a bit much but if it makes him feel better he can answer the door if he wants to.
“Okay.” The smile he gives me makes it even more worth it. He turns, flipping the lock before pulling open the door. I peek around his broad frame to see Fawn trying to bolt into the room, but Roman has a hold on her.
“What?” is all Dane says.
“What? You stole our Winnie.” She tilts her chin all the way up. Roman’s eyes connect with mine as he assesses the situation.
“I can’t steal what’s mine,” Dane replies before he folds his arms over his chest. “Roman.” He nods.
“Didn’t know you were in town, Dane.”
“Didn’t know I needed to check in with anyone.” A stare-off ensues.
“I’m fine,” I quickly say, not wanting some fight to break out.
“What’s going on? I’ve been freaking out. Jill called and said some man was all over you in the bathroom and then stole you.” My face rushes with heat knowing everyone in town is likely talking about this. The locals definitely are. In town everyone is tight knit around Healing Homes.
“I found my baby daddy,” I tease to lighten the mood. Dane turns his head, staring down at me in surprise. A giggle comes from Fawn.
“This is getting interesting,” Roman says.
“What?” I ask, meeting Dane’s dark gaze. “You are my baby daddy.”
“I should be your husband.” I suck in a breath. “I’ll be handling that soon.”
“Okay, let's hold up a second here. Do you remember anything? How did he find you? How do we know he’s not the one who put you here?”
A deep rumble comes from Dane. I can feel the rage coming off of him at the reminder that someone had hurt me.
“I don’t remember anything but—” I start, but Dane cuts me off.
“It doesn't matter what anyone thinks. She stays with me. End of discussion.” His words are harsh and filled with a warning for anyone to challenge him.
“We’re going to need to hear that from Winnie,” Roman says. He’s eerily calm.
“First of all, her fucking name is Kennedy, and second, you don’t have to hear shit.”
“You listen here you oversized giant! I’ll—" I quickly cut Fawn off before this escalates.
“I want to stay.” I push my way around Dane. He lets me but pulls me to him so my back is up against his chest in a possessive hold. “This is the most ‘me’ I’ve felt since I woke up in the hospital.”
Fawn’s face goes soft. It’s sweet she was trying to come to my rescue.
“Okay.” She gives.
I know without a doubt Dane isn’t the person that hurt me. Call me naïve or whatever, but I feel it down into my bones. From the moment he found me he has been nothing but sweet and protective.
“If there is anything you need don’t hesitate to ask. Kennedy means something to my wife, so she means something to me,” Roman says.
“I appreciate that. We’ll be staying for a while.” Dane’s words catch me off guard. I never thought about leaving here. I can tell from Fawn’s face she’s thinking the same thing. Over the past few months I’ve built a life here. I’m not sure how I feel about leaving here, and the thought of leaving Faith behind doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t mention any of those things right now. They are something Dane and I can talk about later.