Slater

Being shot fucking sucked. Yet I’d take a bullet again in a heartbeat if it meant keeping Izzy safe, especially if it meant I’d wake up to find her by my bedside.

Luckily, I was young, and the bullet had missed most of the important stuff, so that within a few days I was more than ready to head home. Of course, convincing Izzy and my mother that I was fine was no easy task when they’d joined forces.

And I was fine. For the most part.

I just needed some time to finish healing, though I’d rather do that from the comfort of my home—especially since I had business to take care of, and getting Izzy alone had been close to impossible.

I needed to talk to her, needed to hold her in my arms without other people around or constantly wandering in—without IVs stuck in my hand and monitors beeping in the background. Because I could tell something was wrong.

She seemed distant. And it was killing me.

Yet she had stuck around, which meant she cared.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out that she felt responsible for what happened, even if there was only person to blame, and that murdering, psychotic asshole was dead—which meant Izzy was safe. And that was all that mattered.

I let us into my home after too quiet a drive. But the moment I closed the door behind us, I snagged Izzy’s hand and pulled her to me, desperate to have her in my arms once more. “I’ve missed having you all to myself.”

“Slater…I’m so incredibly sorry.” She looked away, her gaze avoiding mine. “You almost died.”

“But I didn’t. And the only one responsible for what happened to us has already paid with his life.” I tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at me. “I love you, Izzy—and I know you love me, even if this has been a bit of a rocky road. Just don’t push me away. Not when we can finally be happy.”

She had to know we were meant to be together. And I’d do whatever it took to make her realize it.

Leaning in, she pressed her lips to mine, her body brushing against mine, my cock rock hard and straining against my jeans. I tangled my fingers in her hair, my tongue clashing with hers as I ignored the dull pain that had been plaguing me since my surgery. And though I knew I needed to take it easy, there was no way I wouldn’t be fucking Izzy tonight.

But first there was something I needed to take care of. I pulled away just enough to look at her, cupping her face in my hand as my gaze settled on hers with a love that overwhelmed me. “I’ve got some good news, love. Dane found your brother.”

Tears of joy sprung to her eyes as she looked at me in disbelief, a smile springing to her lips. “Did he really? I can’t believe it, Slater. Where is he?”

“He now lives in Vermont. Looks like he went to culinary school, and now runs his own restaurant not far from Dartmouth College.” Which meant we’d soon be heading out to the East Coast.

“Does he know about me?” Her voice wobbled with uncertainty, and I couldn’t blame her for feeling unsure. I had no doubt some people wouldn’t take too kindly to having someone show up in their life unexpectedly, especially when someone’s adoption could be emotionally fraught.

“Given everything that you were dealing with, Dane thought it would be best to verify your brother’s identity, and get more information for you.” I cupped her face in my hands and brushed my lips against hers, kissing her sweetly. “Turns out he knew he was adopted, and would like nothing more than to meet you. That said, Dane didn’t tell him who you were—or rather, he left out some of the bigger details, like the fact that you are the heir to the Rutherford fortune.”

“I can’t believe he wants to see me…” Her tears spilled over as I held her to me and kissed the top of her head. “Please say you’ll come with me to Vermont. I don’t want to do this without you. I need you in my life, Slater. I nearly lost you once—and I can’t bear to have it happen again.”

“I’ll always be by your side, love.”

* * *

It took several more weeks for us to finally get to Vermont, which worked out just fine, since I was now fully recovered—or close enough to it. And it also meant that I was able to prepare for this trip properly, since I had every intention of leaving Vermont engaged to Izzy. The ring may have needed to be rushed, but it was a custom design that I knew she’d love, and with one more surprise up my sleeve, I was hoping she’d say yes and agree to marry me.

But first, I wanted to see her through what would no doubt be an emotional trip since she was finally going to get to meet her brother. They’d emailed briefly so she could introduce herself and figure out when would be the right time for this trip, but for the most part, she was going into this blind. It was easy enough to look up details on the guy, but it didn’t tell you a person’s true character.

Andrew may very well be a nice guy but I knew how much this meant to Izzy, and I didn’t want to see her get hurt in any way. After her mother’s death and the attempt on her life, I was worried she was in a vulnerable place.

We pulled into Andrew’s driveway, his red farmhouse looking like it belonged on a Christmas card, a thick layer of snow shimmering in the light of the setting sun as snow-covered trees and the distant mountains framed the landscape. I reached over and took her hand, giving it a squeeze before bringing it to my lips. “How are you doing, love? Are you ready for this?”

“What if he hates me because our mother kept me, but put him up for adoption? What if he had a horrible life? What if—”

“Hush, love…no one could hate you. And chances are good he had parents who loved him dearly, and were happy to have a child when they thought they may not be able to have a family. You saw the pictures of him. He looked happy, and well cared for.” I cupped her face and stole a quick kiss. “And now? I think he’ll be ecstatic to meet his sister.”

She nodded, pushing a deep breath through her parted lips before giving me a hesitant smile. “Okay. I can do this.”