I lie here staring at my angel while she sleeps. Her hair is all over me. It’s softer than silk and I find myself playing with it constantly. I need to get up and start making plans. I wanted to do it after we ate dinner last night, but we ended up swimming in the lake, then tumbled back into bed after a shower. I couldn’t keep my hands off her. Even through the night I couldn’t stop from reaching for her. Each time, she welcomed me with spread thighs and a wet cunt. I should have let her rest, but I’m an animal when it comes to her. I have a feeling she’s going to be sore. It may work to my advantage since we’ll be traveling most of the day.

I slide out from under her, hoping to get my shit done before she wakes up. I walk out of the room and head for the bag I dropped by the door. I find a pair of boxers and slide them on before grabbing a burner phone out of my bag.

I freeze when I hear something coming up the gravel driveway outside. I glance down the hall to make sure my angel isn’t coming, then sidle over to the window to look out.

I can feel the smile pulling at my lips.

I open the door, stepping out as her father comes up the stairs to the porch. His gray hair is styled and like always he’s in a suit. I’m starting to see that everything is about appearances for him. He freezes at the sight of me. I take a step to close some of the distance between us. The shock is clear on his face.

“It’s you, that man she’s been drawing in her notebooks,” he says, accusation in his voice.

I watched her draw so many times, but I never had any idea what it was. Fuck, I love her. I’m starting to see she really loves me, too. She keeps on showing it time and time again. I’m going to take it.

I don’t say anything. Instead I give him a bored look.

“Get off my property right now,” he says, flustered but straightening his shoulders.

“Can’t,” I say, taking another step closer. “It doesn’t belong to you.”

His face drops a little at my words. “Is my daughter in there?”

“She doesn’t belong to you anymore.” I fire back, then lightning fast, I backhand him across the face.

He flies back, hitting the gravel, and I’m on him before he can cry out. I wrap my hand around his throat so he can’t make a noise.

“You’re going to be real fucking quiet because my angel is sleeping. If you wake her, things are going to go badly for you.” He’s choking and trying to pull my hand away from his throat.

“Blink twice if you understand me.”

He does, and I release him. He coughs but covers his mouth at the same time. I stand back up, looking down at him. It takes everything in me not to kick him, but I’d probably break something, and I want him to leave. I don’t want my angel seeing him. I handle any darkness that tries to come at her.

“Get up and get the fuck out of here.”

He stands, backing up a few paces and rubbing his throat. My handprint is already showing on it. He opens his mouth, but I cut him off. “Don’t think I don’t know about London’s mom.” His face pales at my words. “Don’t come back here or try to reach out to her again. She’s dead to you.” With that, I turn and go back in the house, locking the door behind me. I look out the window and watch him take one last look at the house before he gets in his car and leaves.

I grab my burner phone and make a call. I hear the line pick up.

“It’s Fixer.”

“Finally calling in that favor?”

“Yeah, I want you to make it look like an accident.” I rattle off her father’s address before hanging up. He took her mother from her and laid hands on her. He was already a dead man.

I make one last call to line up plans, then I break the phone in half and toss it into the trash. I head back upstairs, feeling like I’ve already been away from her too long. I slide into bed next to her and she wraps her naked body around me.

A feeling of being home settles in my chest.

“You smell good,” she says against my neck, then kisses me there and gives a little nibble. My cock hardens at the slightest attention from her.

“How are you feeling?”

“A little sore, but a good sore,” she sighs.

“I’m going to run you a bath. I’ll make us something to eat, and then we need to hit the road.”

“Mmkay,” she mumbles, but she doesn’t move. I slide out and she grabs for me, but I’m already pulling her into my arms. I pick her up and carry her into the bathroom, sitting her on the counter.

I run the water for her bath, making it nice and warm. “Give me a morning kiss,” she says, finally opening her eyes. I step between her legs and take her mouth. The kiss is soft and sleepy, and when she’s finished I pick her up and place her in the warm water.

“I’m going to start packing.” She nods. “Angel, eyes.” She opens them and smiles at me. “Don’t fall asleep.”

“I’m up, I promise,” she yawns. I didn’t think she could look any sweeter, but sleepy London is adorable.

I start grabbing her clothes and packing them into her bag. Then I make sure the rest of the house is locked up tight and toss out all the food in the kitchen so it doesn’t go bad. I walk back into the bedroom, and she’s sitting on the side of the bed in a simple sundress. Her hair is in a knot on the top of her head, and I walk over and pull it free, letting her blonde locks fall.

“Where are we going?” she asks, looking up at me.

“I’m getting us out of the States. Then we can go anywhere you want.”

“I’ve never seen the ocean.”

I cup her face. “I’m going to show you everything.” I drop to my knees in front of her. “We are headed to Texas to catch a plane, but before we leave Colorado I’m going to marry you—” She cuts me off, throwing herself at me. I let myself fall back so she’s on top of me as she kisses me everywhere.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!” she chants, placing frantic kisses on me.

“I didn’t think I phrased it as a question,” I tease, squeezing her ass.

“I want you to make love to me right now, but I really want to go get married, too,” she says, thinking through her indecision. “I’ve never seen you smile so big before.”

“London, you just agreed to be my wife. How could I not be the happiest man on earth?”

“This is crazy,” she giggles, rolling all over me.

It is, but it’s also right. My entire world revolves around her, and so this is our destiny. I would have her by any means necessary, but to know that her love for me is even a fraction of my love for her is paradise. It’s all of my deepest, darkest wishes come to life and then some. She strengthens me in a way I could never accomplish on my own, and I will be her warrior. I will not only marry her but I will guard her until my last breath. My gift to the world is protecting what is most precious, and my angel is that for me.