- Chapter Seventeen -

Huxton

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I dreamed of stars and comets. A woman who flew through the sky with fire trailing behind. Once, I'd teased her by saying I'd waited an eternity for her.

It was no longer a joke to me.

Black water rushed around, drowning me—I woke with a gasp. Something cool was on my forehead, my body swaddled in warmth and cotton.

“You're awake, thank goodness.”

Blinking, I turned my head. Zoe was sitting next to me, holding a damp cloth to my face. There was concern swimming in her eyes, but I just wanted to stare at her—into her—and enjoy that this wasn't part of my dream.

Her smile weakened. “What is it, what's wrong?” she asked.

Reaching across, I brushed my fingers over her cheek. “Nothing. I've just never woken up next to someone so beautiful before.”

Blushing furiously, she pulled the cloth away. “You sound like yourself. How do you feel?”

Grunting, I sat up in the bed. “I'm sore as shit.” Looking around, I saw my familiar walls. “Is this my bedroom? How did we get here? Last I remember, we were at the Dog House.”

Digging into her pocket, Zoe handed me something small and smooth; my apartment key. “You don't remember the ride?”

Holding the key up, I shook my head.

Zoe's face smoothed, voice going soft. “I got you on your bike. You were awake enough to hold on. I drove us here, used your key to let us in. I would have taken you to my place, but...”

“Eliza doesn't need to know,” I said, understanding her worries. “If you ever want to tell her about the ring, showing up with my busted-ass isn't the best method.”

Chuckling, her eyes warmed with her new smile. “I'm seriously glad you're awake. When you slept all day yesterday, I was worried something was wrong. Jean said you had no serious injuries, but I wasn't positive.”

“Jean?” I'd missed so much.

She nodded and said, “Jean helped at the ring. He handled the guys when they got hurt. He's not a doctor, but he's good enough.” She heard what she'd said, turned red as a beet. “I mean, uh, not that you don't deserve the best, but...”

I laughed, then stopped as the pain seared my chest. “I'm alive, that's 'good enough' for sure.” I was reminded of everything I'd endured—of Reese. My mood was muddled by the news I had for her. “Listen. When I was fighting Reese, he let something slip.” I linked my fingers with hers. “Zoe, the night your grandmother was hurt, Reese was the one driving. He crashed that car, not her.”

Blood drained from her face. “What? Reese was—he was driving?” Her eyelids fluttered, I worried she might faint. “I thought she'd been the one to cause the crash, and he'd pulled her out. All this time, I blamed myself for her injuries. But he... he never told me he'd been driving. He must have hoped she'd never recover enough to say what happened.”

Firming my grip, I reminded her I was there. Zoe blinked down at me, the ghost of a smile starting to show. “Are you okay?” I asked.

“Not totally, but I will be. This changes so much. My heart feels lighter, is that weird?”

“Not at all.” Ruffling my hair absently, I hissed. There were many bumps and bruises.

Zoe saw what I was doing. She moved to sit beside me on the bed, her hands gentle on my scalp. “Does this hurt badly?”

Curling my arm around her middle, I pulled her on top of me. “Not anymore. I think you're better than medicine.”

She chewed her bottom lip, resting her nails in my hair. The feeling was glorious. “I have a confession. I slammed your head on your stripper pole when I was getting you in here. That thing is a hazard.”

That time, I laughed even though it hurt. God, that felt great.

Snuggling into the blanket, I rolled my hands down to her waist, holding her—just lavishing in the ability to do so. “I'm in bad shape, so I can't imagine Reese and Nehro are any better off. Has he called yet, threatened us anymore?”

Zoe locked up, her blue eyes going a shade darker; duller. “Huck... Nehro is dead.”

I stopped blinking.

Dead?

The idea was... remarkable. I hadn't even considered it. I wrestled with my memory, trying to dig up every detail of the fight from last night. No, not last night. She said I slept a whole day.

Everything was blurry, my head was mush. Finally, I said softly, “How do you know that?”

“The news. The cops were called, the whole place was cleaned out. Reese is being charged with murder.” Hugging herself, Zoe looked torn between joy and sickness. “He really killed him. Just like that, in front of everyone.”

Don't blame me too harshly, but this news sent thrills of relief into my aching body. I couldn't believe it. If Nehro was dead, then...

“You're free.” I said the words, tasted them. Looking up at the wonderful angel who sat in my lap, I repeated myself. “You're free, Zoe.”

Full strength, forgetting about my wounds, she collapsed on me and held me close. The embrace had the aura of being held at bay, and I pictured her sitting at my side, simply waiting for me to open my eyes so she could share the news.

New wetness tickled my cheek. Clasping her chin, I lifted her up. “You know,” I whispered, wiping the corners of her eyes. “For a girl that doesn't cry, you sure do water up a lot.”

Sniffling, she scrubbed her face and smiled. “I don't know how to tell you how happy I am right now. Can you even understand?”

“Of course I understand.” Pressing my lips to her cheek, I tasted her salt. Yes, her flavor did change with her moods, just like I'd always wondered.

Her eyes flashed, lightning in a spring sky. “I need to apologize, and to thank you. You—god, everything you did for me... Huck, you almost died. Reese wanted to kill you, and he was capable of it.”

“But he didn't.”

Suddenly, she couldn't look at me. Her shoulders rolled forward, chin to her chest. “Listen. I was thinking. Now that Nehro is gone... and Reese is going to jail... you're free, just like I am. You don't have to fight for me anymore.” She was speaking faster, rushing through her practiced speech. “I'll pay you what I owe you, and then you can go back to everything you were doing before. Safe stuff, stuff you actually enjoyed. I bet your clients miss you.”

A tiny seed of emotion grew, curling up through my guts and into my chest. I wasn't angry, that wasn't right. It was deeper, richer in nature.

Zoe... she was freeing me? She thought she could just wave her hand and I could return to my life before her?

My fingers slid up to her shoulder, curling behind the base of her neck. I wanted to kiss her, but I didn't. Not yet. “What are you doing?” I asked, steam and shadows coating my voice. “Do you honestly think I enjoyed my life more before you appeared?”

Fury took over, a fervor that was torn between tasting her and shouting. She thought I didn't understand her?

I needed her to understand me.

“Zoe,” I growled, thumb digging in; not to hurt, but to keep her aware. “Even with your debt gone, no one to collect on it... I can't walk away.” Narrowing my eyes, I searched hers for the proof I was after. “I'll never stop fighting for you. No matter how tired or hurt, I could be in a fucking grave and I would still rise up to protect you.”

Trembling, she wriggled on top of me. The heavy heat of something more welcoming than her doubts crept in. “Tell me why.”

Bringing her down to me, I brushed my lips on hers. She flexed, trying to reach me for a full on kiss. I squeezed, held her hair firm so she couldn't. “For the same reason you're trying to push me away. This misplaced desire to free me. As if leaving you would free me in any capacity.”

Whimpering, she looked down her nose and waited expectantly. Zoe needed me to tell her the truth. I'd never said the words before, they'd never come to my lips...

But now, they felt as natural as breathing.

“I love you, Zoe. Isn't it obvious?” I couldn't wait any longer. My mouth captured hers, fighting to reach every inch of her and still seeking more. I didn't need her to respond, I already knew how she felt.

Gripping me by the roots, she tugged my head back, pushed it against the pillow. Her breathing was rapid, lips glowing from my force. “You're insane,” she finally gasped. Zoe's words were raw. “There's nothing for you to protect me from anymore.”

“There's always something. When it shows up, I'll tear it down.”

Shaking her head, strands of crimson danced over her cheeks. She was even more gorgeous when she was flustered. “I don't want you to die for me. Ever.”

Lifting her shirt at the hem, I grazed her soft skin. She shivered instantly. “Then I guess I can't die. Guys like me, we're made from stronger stuff than you'd ever guess.”

Zoe kissed my temple, brushed my ear. “All humans can break.”

Hissing at the way she made my lower belly tighten, I wrapped my arms around her spine. “It's a good thing I'm a fucking bad boy, then,” I chuckled. “It's different than being just human. It's much better.”

In a burst of ferocity, she dissolved the distance. Our tongues melded, heat and heartbeats synchronizing. When she finally spoke, she did it against my lips, making them buzz with the vibration of her emotion. “I love you so much, Huxton. Do you realize that? I didn't think I'd ever fall for someone like you, not again. Not after everything. Falling in love with someone who reminded me of my past... it was terrifying.”

Smiling against her teeth, I whispered, “Then I have good news for you, sugar.” I bit the corner of her mouth gently. Her moan was rejuvenating. “I'm the last guy you'll ever be terrified of falling in love with.”

There was no exaggeration in my claim.

No matter what I had to do, I would ensure that this wonderful woman who had come tumbling into my life would remain mine.

My life had been so different before her. But it hadn't been better.

Not even when compared to falling over, bleeding on the cement to save her...

It hadn't been better.

Once, I'd only been good at two things; fighting, and fucking. I'd always done them for myself. It was all I had, and it kept me going. It gave me a purpose in this wicked world.

But no longer.

I didn't have to fight to prove myself... and I didn't need to seek out multiple women to feel whole. To feel wanted.

With Zoe in my arms, my lips on her skin and my brain fogging with her existence...

Life held infinite possibilities.

Together, we would experience all of them.