Breaking Even(38)

I feel like an idiot when I start grinning uncontrollably, but it’s so frigging sweet to see them together. Then the door opens again without a knock as Kode comes in, his eyes going directly to Tria.

Tag and Ash grin, and they escape as Kode goes and drops down in front of Tria’s chair.

“Baby, I wish I could say I’m sorry, but I’m never going to let another man lay a hand on you. You know that. You know me. I love the fuck out of you, and I’ve changed a hell of a lot, but I can’t change that.”

The very same thing that pissed her off is suddenly filling her with pride as her tears glisten. I apparently don’t understand love. If John ever did anything to piss me off, he didn’t apologize. We would eventually just go on like nothing ever happened. There was never a grandstanding apology that melted hearts or resolution of any sort.

“I know. I... I love you. All of you. And I’d probably slap a bitch if she touched you.”

He starts laughing as he stands, and he pulls her with him, wrapping her up in his arms. “Can we go home?” he asks sweetly, kissing the tip of her nose.

This is like watching numerous romance movies all at once. I hope Rye has a blood and gore flick ready again. I’m going to need it to bring me down from my high once this is all over.

Raya watches them leave, and she stares at the door as a tear slips down her cheek. Rain pats her arm comfortingly and leans over to take her hand. “Kade is hard to get through to sometimes, but he loves you.”

“Yes I do,” a male voice says from the door I never heard open.

Kade Colton is staring at his fiancée with a sad, apologetic smile. She starts to say something, but she clears her throat and sits back first. When she feels confident enough, she finally speaks.

“You keep pushing me away. Every time you face any sort of emotional challenge, you push me away. I’m tired of it. When you do this, I’m worried to death I’m going to say or do the wrong thing and lose you. I don’t like walking on eggshells, and I refuse to do it anymore,” she says without any emotion in her voice, even though I can tell she’d love nothing more than to cry.

How does she do that?

He nods slowly while walking until he reaches her. He bends and puts both hands on either side of her chair, boxing her in, and he makes sure her eyes meet his.

“You’re right. And God knows I’m sorry. This... all of this... you’re the only person I’ve ever had this with besides Granddad. And obviously what we have is very different. But you shouldn’t ever be scared of losing me. I’m yours, Raya. All yours. That means you can say or do whatever you want, and I won’t go anywhere, regardless of what’s going on around us. I love you.”

Another tear falls down her cheek and she stands, which forces him to move back and allow her.

“Okay,” she says simply, walking toward the door.

“Okay?” he asks, amused as he follows.

“That’s what I wanted to hear, and you said it. Let’s go home.”

His smile breaks across his face, and he pulls her to him before delivering a kiss that I have to turn away from. Rye’s brown eyes are staring into mine, and he winks as he avoids the scene just like me.

But those eyes are so close, just like his full lips, and my breath gets a little harsh.

“I think you two should get away for a while,” Rain says, reminding me that she’s still here.

I break away from the eye contact that has left me almost dizzy, and look back at the couple that is separating.

“She’s right,” Kade says, grinning as he presses another sweet kiss to Raya’s lips. “Let’s go to Vegas.”

Raya laughs as she laces her fingers with his. “When?”

“Right now. We won’t even pack. We’ll buy clothes when we get there.”

Her eyes grow wide, and I turn green with envy. All of these beautiful women found the best men the world has to offer. I’ve never been treated even half as well. And it’s actually a little depressing.

“Okay,” she says for a new reason, her grin growing.

Kade’s smile is almost heart-stopping, and he pulls her from the house before she can even say goodbye.

“Wow,” Rain says, acting exhausted as the door shuts. “What a night.”

Rye looks at her curiously, as do I. This is the longest she’s gone without saying men suck. I start to ask her what’s going on, when the door opens once again.

“Knock Knock,” Dane Sterling says as he comes in, holding the hand of their smiling daughter—Carrie Sterling. It’s official now; Carrie has been adopted, and she has a home that most children only dream about.