Break, page 38
The rest of the ride is completed in silence. Thoughts of Danny and his death still try to batter against my head, and I work to keep them out. Mina’s words from when we were lying in bed together are what finally do it for me.
Clearing my throat to keep from disturbing her, I speak softly so only they can hear. “We can’t look back.”
Vincent’s head turns slowly to look at me, and my eyes meet his for only a moment before I have to put them back on Mina. “Look back at what?” he whispers.
“At everything that happened. She and I talked about it. I told her I was struggling to be happy she was here, since the only reason it happened was because of Danny. She told me we’re not supposed to look back at the past, wishing we could make changes. We need to look at now and the future, of what we can control.”
“Makes sense,” Ethan grunts out, back to his few words. I don’t blame him, though. I almost sunk to the floor when I saw Mina lying on the floor, motionless. There was no way I would have survived if she hadn’t.
Huffing out an unamused laugh, Vincent crosses his arms and leans back against the frame of the ambulance. “I have no problems ignoring the fact that he ever existed.”
Another grunt from Ethan in agreement has me shaking my head slowly. “You can try, but she’s,” I jerk my chin toward her, “not going to be able to ignore it. She feels everything, and Danny’s death is going to be hard on her.”
“Maybe,” Ethan muses. “I think she’s tougher than you’re giving her credit for. I think she’s going to recognize what happened for what it was. Just a man who had some severe mental health issues. She knows she’s not responsible for what he did.”
“She apologized to me,” I tell him, not wanting to argue, but I really want to make sure we don’t brush over what she’s going to be going through for the next few weeks.
Ethan finally drags his eyes off of her to look at me, dead in the eye. “I’d bet my life that she apologized because she feels like she’s the reason you were there to see it. She’s sad for you and for me and for Vince. We all lost a part of our history today, whether he was going to be in our future or not.”
Nodding, I think about what he’s saying and find that I agree. He’s probably right, but I’m still going to make sure I’m there for her if she struggles.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The next few hours take a toll on all of us. Mina is checked over and x-rayed, given pain meds, and asked a thousand questions about her physical and mental health. Then came the questions from Cooper and Vince’s partner, Tony Singh. They tried to pull us out of the room when they sat down with Mina, but we refused.
Coop grumbled and glared at us but let us stay once Mina told them she wanted us nearby. There was no stopping my smirk when he finally agreed. I’m sure he’ll give me an earful later, but I don’t care. We all needed to be here when she shared what happened the moment she left with Harrow.
He put her in the back of his car, citing regulations that civilians weren’t allowed in the front, essentially locking her in with no way to escape. Then he drove her straight to his cabin where Danny was hiding and wouldn’t let her out until Danny retrieved her.
The two of them pulled her out and got her inside. Then, the motherfucker just left after false promises from Danny that he only wanted her here to talk. He truly believed that Danny wasn’t an actual threat to her.
Considering the charges that are being brought up on him, I have a feeling he’s very quickly going to learn he was, in fact, wrong.
It’s the middle of the night when they finally discharge Mina, and we take an exhausted and emotionally drained, beautiful woman home. Since I have the master and the largest bed, Ethan carries her sleeping form straight into my room and lays her in the middle of the bed. Then, kicking off his shoes, he crawls in behind her and carefully wraps an arm around her to pull her against him.
He says nothing. Just shuts his eyes, like sleeping in my bed is a normal occurrence.
Chuckling next to me, Vincent’s eyes dance with mirth, watching the two of them. Shrugging at me, he kicks his shoes off as well and calls quietly over his shoulder, “I’ll sleep at the foot of the bed since, you know, it’s yours and all.”
Grumbling, I know there’s no way I’m getting them out of here tonight, and I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t want to sleep anywhere else except right next to her. Not after today. Not after we almost lost her.
Following them, I’m stopped when Walter jumps up in front of me, lying down in the empty spot-on Mina’s other side. My fucking side of the bed, you asshole!
Leaning forward, I ignore Vincent’s laughter when I hiss, “Move, you fucking girlfriend stealer.” He doesn’t. Of course he doesn’t. He simply cocks an eye at me, silently asking, ‘what are you gonna do about it?’
“Come on. Get.” I tug at his collar, and I swear this fucking dog growls at me as he moves back to the floor. Yanking my shirt over my head, I toss it toward the basket and slide in next to Mina. Studying her face, I say a prayer of thanks that she’s come out of this with only a few bumps and bruises.
When I feel the bed shift behind me, I roll my eyes when Walter curls up, not giving a shit that I put him on the floor.
Mina’s eye cracks open, and she smiles up at me, biting her lip to hold back her own laughter.
“Hey, little dove.” I immediately brush my fingers over her face, checking on her. “How are you feeling? I’m sorry about the crowded bed. Walt’s not helping matters.”
Shrugging, she acts like she’s unaffected, but I know she loves the closeness between all of us right now. “I’m feeling alright. Sore, but it’s to be expected.”
“Want me to move everyone away? I can at least kick the puppy out.” I half-heartedly plead with my eyes that she’ll give me permission to move him.
Scowling at me, she reaches over my waist and rubs her hand over whatever part of Walter she can reach. “You’ll do no such thing. He’s my good boy.”
My lip tilts up on the side, and I think it’s the first time I’ve smiled since we found the brick that went through Vincent’s truck window.
Pushing my face closer to hers, I soak in the feel of her breathing across my skin. “What about me? Am I a good boy?” My question is teasing, but she answers me seriously.
“You’re the best boy, Max.” Her fingers steal my hand, and she brings them locked together to press them between her breasts. “Thank you for coming for me.”
Using our joined hands, I pull her closer, ignoring Ethan’s grunt of irritation when he has to shift to keep his body pressed along her back. “I’ll always fucking come for you. You’re my reason to breathe.”
She tilts her head back and brushes her lips across mine, careful not to press too hard and aggravate any of her injuries. Sighing against my mouth, she lets her head relax against the pillow with a smile.
“Love you too, Max.”
Closing my eyes, I sink into sleep knowing that we’ve all got her right where she belongs. Surrounded by the three of us where no one can hurt her again.
Well, four. If you count the damn dog.
Chapter 51
Darlin’
Ethan
I gave her four days. Four days to heal and process and rest after her ordeal. Our ordeal. But I can’t wait any longer.
I’m rocking back on my heels, fighting off the worry that Mina is out on Max’s property without anyone watching over her. I know the threat is gone, but my body doesn’t. The only reason I’m able to stay in this spot is because she’s got Walter with her.
Since the moment we brought her home from the hospital, he’s been glued to her side, and Mina has loved every single second of it. Slipping him snacks and treats, whispering into his ear how pretty and wonderful he is. I’d be jealous if I didn’t remind myself repeatedly, he’s only a fucking dog. There’s no way I’d say that out loud in front of my woman, though. She’d spend ten minutes informing me why I’m wrong.
Now that Danny is gone, Vincent used a few days of vacation to be home with Mina as she recovered, but today he had to return. I’m sure his partner is relieved to have him back as well. Max is doing rounds, checking in on all our active cases, ensuring that his employees handled everything while he was distracted with Mina.
I’m certain he’s also giving me some time alone with her, which is fucking necessary because I’m about ready to crawl out of my skin. She told me she loved me while lying on the gurney in the back of the ambulance, but we have had little time alone since then. I want her to hear my words for the first time, alone and privately between the two of us.
Mina has been lighter since we got home as well. It’s like removing the chains Danny had wrapped around her for years has lifted so much weight off her soul. She feels as if she can completely open up and be herself.
As she walks around the corner with Walt walking next to her, gazing up like she hangs the fucking moon, I can’t contain my chuckle.
When she hears me, her head shoots up, and a massive smile breaks across her face. Picking up her speed, she runs toward me.
“Hey there, darlin’. How was your walk?” I ask her, opening my arms to her. What I’m not prepared for is Mina’s final leap as she jumps up into my arms. “Christ, you’re gonna hurt yourself,” I grumble, cupping the back of her head as she latches her arms around my neck and legs around my waist.
Leaning back, she looks me over and reaches a hand into my hair. “I’m fine. I’m feeling good. Barely feel a thing now.”
I narrow my eyes at the bruise on her face and hum under my breath.
She rolls her eyes. “It’s sore, but not bad.” Pressing her lips against mine, she releases them with a smack. “Promise.” Glancing over my shoulder toward the door, she looks back and asks, “What were you doing? Waiting for me?”
Grunting, I hoist her up higher, getting a better grip so she can ease up on her hold around my neck. “Always waiting for you, darlin’.”
“You’re a good man, you know that, Ethan Riley? You’ve always been good, even when we were younger.” Her words hit me like a train, because I don’t agree with her. I wasn’t bad, but I was indifferent, and that makes me just as guilty as everyone else that was in her life.
Shaking my head to deny her words, she puts her fingers over my lips. “I know what you’re going to say, but you’re wrong. You were a kid. You weren’t responsible for what others did, just like I wasn’t responsible for what was done to me.”
My throat works against the knot lodged inside as I try to accept what she’s saying. Instead, I can only think of one thing to say. “Tell me again.”
Her eyes light up when she understands what I’m asking. “I love you.”
“Again,” I beg as I turn us around and move inside the house, pausing for a moment to hear the door snick shut.
“I love you, Ethan Riley.” Her giggle calms something in my soul, and I close my eyes against the feeling.
Pressing her against the wall in the entryway, I push my hips against her to prevent her from sliding down my body, freeing up my hands. Gripping the sides of her neck, she lets her head fall back to look up at me. “Once more,” I whisper.
With a lazy smile, she turns her head to kiss my fingers. “I’m in love with you, Ethan.”
“I love you so fucking much my chest aches when I can’t see you. It’s like I’ve been waiting my entire life for just this single moment to hear you say those words to me. You’ve always been here,” I tell her as I tap the side of my head. “Always been in my head as someone who’s special.” I kiss her lips gently. “And sweet.” I kiss her again. “And so incredibly kind that a shit like me should never deserve a second of your time.”
Covering her mouth with mine, I absorb her protest, diving my tongue into her mouth, tasting her sweetness. Inhaling it and making it a part of me. I kiss her until I feel her release the need to fight back with words, then pull back.
“I’m a selfish man, so I’m going to take your love and your time and your sweetness and keep it all for myself.” My cock is straining against the inside of my jeans, but I wait until I know she’s ready for me.
The tips of her fingers stroke along my cheek, cupping it and pressing in before leaning back. “You don’t mind that I love them just as much?”
“Nope. They’re good men. They’re good for you, but more importantly, you’re good for them. They deserve all the happiness they can find with you. This,” I tap her chest, “has so much room in it, I don’t know how it’s possible. Thank you for giving me a part of it.”
“You have all of it, Ethan,” she breathes out, pressing her lips to me once more.
She attacks my mouth like she’s starving, and I know I can’t hold back another moment until I’m feeling her falling apart around me. Thank God she’s wearing a dress today because I’m certain I can’t let go long enough to pull her pants off.
I suck in a breath, my throat catching when I feel her hand reach between us and work at the waistband of my pants. She’s quick to unsnap and pull the zipper down, allowing them to fall slightly down my hips. I didn’t put on any boxers when I was getting dressed this morning, so my cock smacks against her hand when it’s finally freed.
Her eyes widen when she feels the heat of my skin, and she grips it, squeezing tightly to keep me against her. “Ethan, will you-”
I cut her off with a nip to the chin. Her laughter fills me with pleasure as I yank her panties to the side, exposing her pussy to the air.
My eyes narrow as I feel her stroke my shaft, and I know I can’t wait any longer. “Are you ready for me, darlin’? Because I don’t know if I can-”
She moves me, directing the head of my cock to her entrance in answer to my unfinished question. I can feel her dripping, coating the tip to ease my way in. My hips move forward, unable to keep from dipping into her. She feels like silk sliding against me, and I groan at the feel.
Panting, I grit out, “There’s no way I’m going to be able to take my time with you. Not the way you deserve.”
Hiking her legs up higher around me, the change in angle forces me to slide in an extra inch. “Don’t care,” she moans, trying to tilt her hips to draw me in further.
Thank FUCK!
Bracing a hand on the wall behind her head, I slip my free hand under her ass, holding her panties wrenched to the side and slam home. My balls instantly tighten against my body, overcome with how good she fucking feels. I can’t breathe. I can’t speak. I can’t do anything except pull back and thrust into her again.
She cries out, then searches for my mouth, groaning when she finds me. Our kiss is sloppy as I flex and fuck my cock into her, each stroke trying to get further inside of her.
My words melt out of me, and I can’t stop kissing her long enough so she understands me. “Feel so good. I love you, darlin’. Love you so much. Fuck, fucking tight. Fucking heaven on Earth, that’s what you are.”
Mina is calling out my name, repeating words to me, but I don’t hear them. Releasing the wall, I wrap my arm around her back and fully stand up, my hips never slowing down as I pound into her. I can feel her muscles clenching and releasing me every time I pull out, and it’s like fucking into her for the first time with every surge forward.
“Gotta come, darlin’. Need you to come,” I beg her. There’s sweat running down the side of my face from the exertion of our coming together, her hair plastered to the side of her face.
When she clenches around me again without releasing this time, she screams into my neck as she falls apart. Her juices gush down my balls, forcing me to fuck her harder.
Shouting out above her head, I bury my face in her hair and hold on for dear life as my cum pumps out of me, filling her until it joins her own fluids running out.
Fuck me, it’s not stopping. My legs and arms are shaking from the force, so I press her back against the wall as the final few jets of cum leak from my tip. “Mina, darlin’… I can’t…” My voice trails off, not even sure what I’m trying to say.
Breathing hard, she leans her head further against me, turning so her cheek is resting against mine. Our skin is damp, heated, and I wouldn’t want her any other way. This woman is what I’ve been waiting for my entire life.
I lower my hand to set her down, but she grips me harder. “Not yet… Don’t let go,” she sobs out. Turning my head toward her, my nose brushes against her cheek until my lips are only a breath away from hers.
“I’ll never, ever fucking let you go.”
My promise relaxes her arms, and she sinks into me further. We stand like this for what feels like forever, my cock never going down as it stays planted fully inside of her. “Let me take you upstairs,” I whisper to her after a long stretch of silence and breathing.
Her voice is sleepy, but desperate with her plea. “Just don’t let me go.”
I wrap my arms more firmly around her, mentally making sure my legs will hold us as I walk upstairs. I kick my pants off before I find my footing to walk us upstairs, never slipping free from her. My cock twinges as she shifts while I walk, and I chuckle when I hear Walt’s nails click on the floor as he follows us up.
Turning her face so her cheek is resting on my chest, Mina glances down at Walter. “He’s never going to leave me alone, is he?”
Snorting, I groan when I feel her pussy flutter around me. “Probably not.”
Her sigh of resignation makes me smile. “I don’t mind.”
“I do. I don’t want him staring at my ass for at least the next hour.”
“For the next hour?” she asks, confused by my innuendo.
“Yup. My cock isn’t going anywhere for a while, so I’m going to do this the way I should have the first time.” Laying her down on the bed, my body follows.
My mouth stops her giggles as we bounce together. Then, I spend the next couple of hours telling her without words how much I fucking love her.
Chapter 52
Sweetpea
