Say You’re Mine (Falling in Love #2)

Chapter 20

20

EROS

T he first time I can take a breath is when Kate lets me know that Noland reported that Lev went to Caleb and Gabriella’s. At least with her there, I know she is tucked away safe. Not that I didn’t have Noland on her the second she stepped out of this building.

“That dumbass never should have gone to the hospital,” my lawyer, Kim, says stepping over to where I’m sitting.

Everyone is giving me a wide berth right now. Even the cops. I might have thrown a chair across the lobby. But fuck everyone. It’s my chair and my lobby, and it wasn’t aimed at anyone, so there was nothing anyone could do.

“What now?” I am itching to get the fuck out of here. My skin even feels tight.

“He’s on probation. They did labs when he got there.” I lift a brow at that. “I had already made a call about getting them done.” Kim smirks. Of course she did. That’s why I pay out the ass to have her on call. You never know when shit can go sideways, and when it does, you need to be ready. “His bail is revoked and—” Kim turns to one of the police officers. “You got news for me?”

“You’re free to go.”

“And you're free to get the fuck off my client's property,” Kim tosses right back before dismissing them. "With the drugs, his erratic behavior, his past charges, and him charging you, it's now self-defense," Kim responds.

“I can go then?” I’m already eyeing the door.

“Yes, but maybe toss some money to the DA next election.”

“Right.” I shake my head. “Mom, Dad?—”

“Go get your girl.” Mom cuts me off.

It doesn’t take me long to get across town. I let Caleb know I’m coming up and to make sure that I’m cleared. I park out front, not caring that it’s not a parking spot, but I see Noland leaning up against the building. He’ll make sure no one fucks with it. I don’t want to park too far away when I have a captive I need to bring back home.

I give no shits that she asked me to let her go. That I told her all she'd ever have to do was ask, and I'd give her whatever it was. Fuck being the good guy.

When I step off the elevator, Caleb is standing there with his arms folded over his chest and a pissed-off expression on his face. So, his normal look. That shit might intimidate other people, but I’m not other people.

“You have upset my Gabriella.”

“What are you talking about?”

“And we were in the middle of something when Lev called her.”

“Then how about you tell me where my girl is, and I’ll get her out of here?” It’s pretty fucking simple, if you ask me.

“You’re just going to take her?”

“Do you care?”

“It might upset my Gabriella more.” I take a step toward him.

“Move.” He needs to know that nothing is going to stop me from getting to Lev. That there is no fucking way I’m leaving here without her.

“Fucking hell,” he grits out. “But if my wife comes running over to your place one day, you better return the favor.” If I wasn’t so pissed off right now, I’d smile because it dawns on me that Caleb and I are going to end up having to wrangle our wives together often with how close they seem to be.

“Deal,” I agree.

“That way.” He steps out of the way. “They’re in the kitchen.” I hear them before I see them.

“Lev, don’t make me do this.”

“You don’t have to do anything.”

“You’re forcing my hand,” Gabriella hisses back. I step into the kitchen to see them standing feet from each other, both their cheeks flushed. They’re fighting. A smile spreads across Gabriella’s face when she spots me.

My Lev’s lips, however, purse. It’s the face she makes when she’s trying to hide her emotions. To push them down so no one can use them to hurt her. I hate that she’s had to live a life that has made her feel as though she can’t ever allow herself to be vulnerable. It makes me wish I’d punched her father a lot more than one time.

“Took you long enough. There’s no trying to talk sense into this stubborn mule over here.” Gabriella pins Lev with a glare. Or at least the best glare Gabriella can come up with.

“Gabby,” Lev snaps at her.

“Don’t Gabby me. This is for your own good.” Gabriella walks around the kitchen island. “Fix it, or I’ll ask my husband to destroy you.” Again, Gabriella tries to glare. It’s terrible.

“If I can’t fix it,” I tell her—which I will, “I’m already destroyed.”

Gabriella gives me a nod, leaving us alone in the kitchen. Lev turns around and rests her hands on the kitchen island. Her beautiful face isn’t giving anything away.

“You’re a liar.”

“I guess I am.” I shrug.

“You said?—”

“I know what I said, and I don’t give a shit.” Lev huffs out a breath. I hate the fact that this island stands between us.

“It’s better this way.” The hitch in her voice gives her away. Not that I’d been buying any of it to begin with. Lev isn’t a cruel or mean person. Not unless provoked, and I hadn’t done anything to evoke that reaction from her. That meant she was leaving because she was doing it for me.

"Is it, darling? Because it doesn't feel better. Does it?"

"Don't call me that." There is no power behind her words.

"There are a few other things I would like to call you right about now." Her shoulders stiffen.

"Go on then," she challenges me. I don't hesitate. I set the box down on the counter.

"My fiancée, my wife, my future." Lev's eyes go wide, her lips parting in a small gasp.

"Oh my God, I think he put a ring on the counter," I hear whispered from behind me.

"You're loud, babe," Caleb says. "Come on. Going to finish what we started before these two showed up." If Gabriella protests at all, it’s not for long because the last I hear are her muffled giggles that seem to be getting farther away.

“Don’t do this to me.” Lev pulls her hands off the counter. “I’m trying to do the right thing here. Can’t you see that?”

“I’m starting to see that sometimes doing the wrong thing is what you need to do.”

“And that’s my point.” Lev’s eyes fill with tears, twisting my guts. “I’m making you do the wrong things. This isn’t you.” I can’t take it anymore. I round the kitchen island and pick her up, sitting her on it. I step between her legs.

“And that’s my point, darling. You’re different. You make me do things I’d never do for another soul. For you I’d do anything, and that’s the way it should be. Only for you would I do all the wrong things to have you and not care about anything else.” Tears slide down her cheeks. I rest my hands on her neck, using my thumbs to keep her chin up. I want those eyes on me. "I'm not letting you go." Lev closes her eyes.

I kiss her cheeks, stopping the tears. "I never cry," she whispers, her eyes still closed. "Only for you."

"Not sure that's a good thing."

Lev opens her eyes. "You're different for me too. You mean so much more. I don't know if my tears are sad or happy. I'm all twisted up inside."

I lean down, pressing my forehead to hers. "Let me untwist you, Lev. Let go and trust that I've got you. I've got us."

“I want to have you too.”

“I’ve waited for you my whole life, darling. You’re the only woman that has ever had any part of me.” A smile lights up her entire face.

“I’m sorry I ran. I love you so much. I just wanted?—"

I kiss her. I don’t need her to explain. I know my girl. Lev wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me back. I pull the ring out of the box.

“I love you too, darling.” I slide it onto her finger, where it belongs. “Like I told you from the start, Lev, I'm not worthy of having you if I’m not willing to chase.”