Chapter 22
Todd
I love my brother. I do.
But right now, he doesn’t deserve Savannah—who, despite everything, is loving and understanding.
He ran.
Like a goddamn coward.
And yeah, I get it. I know his history. Know how it chewed him up and spat him out, how it turned him into the gruff, guarded bastard he is today.
But for fuck’s sake, he’s supposed to be a Dom. A Master, who should master himself before he tries to dominate someone else. Bolting at the first sign of a perceived threat? That’s not mastery. That’s fear.
He needs help.
Hell, they both do.
Savannah’s doing better, but she’s not whole. Her nightmares haven’t completely disappeared. Most nights, we’re awake before they fully take hold. With soothing words and tender—or carnal—touches we ground her and keep her from spiraling into the abyss. But what happens when we’re not there? When something—like the crack of a rifle—sets her off and she’s alone?
It happens often enough in this town. Plenty of hunters, plenty of gunshots echoing through the woods—especially during the fall.
She needs therapy.
And so does Colton.
I squeeze her hand as we step outside and brace ourselves against the cold night air. The security light switches on, illuminates us while it plummets the rest of the front yard into darkness.
I wonder where Colton went, but I guess he’s on his way to the Sea Spirit . I turn toward the van, when movement at the end of the driveway draws my attention.
Colton?
Coming into view, he stops short, breathing hard like he’s run a mile. His eyes flick to Savannah, to our joined hands, before they slide back to me.
His jaw is tight, his expression unreadable.
Good. He should be unsettled.
I hold his stare and wait him out.
Waiting for an apology.
Waiting for an explanation.
Waiting for some goddamn accountability.
But he says nothing.
Savannah lets out a slow breath, then slips her hand from mine.
I don’t let her go far.
If Colton has something to say, he’d better say it. Now.
* * *
Savannah
Colton is staring at us—at me.
His dark eyes are unreadable and locked onto mine like he’s trying to memorize every part of me. I can’t tell if he’s searching for reassurance or forgiveness. Maybe it is both.
I let go of Todd’s hand and take a step forward.
Still, Colton says nothing. His jaw works, and tension radiates from his broad shoulders. His breathing is ragged like he’s run all the way back here.
I ache for him.
He takes a wobbly step forward, then drops to one knee.
For a moment, my heart clenches. I think he’s falling, and I propel forward to catch him.
But he straightens his back and holds out a hand to me. When I take his hand, his fingers tremble slightly before curling around mine.
When he finally speaks, he doesn’t address me—he speaks to Todd. “I think we should do this together.”
I follow Colton’s gaze.
I widen my eyes as Todd steps around me, moving beside his brother. And then, without hesitation, he lowers himself onto one knee as well.
I suck in a breath.
Oh. Oh.
Colton’s voice is rough, thick with something I’ve never heard from him before. “I know I’m a stubborn, stupid man, and you deserve much, much more. But luckily, I come as a package deal.” His lips twitch. “Will you, Savannah Walker, do me—Colton Turner?—”
“And me, Todd Turner,” Todd adds smoothly, his eyes dancing with mirth and so much more.
“—the honor of marrying us?” Colton deepens his voice. “I will swear to work on my trust issues as I help you heal from your PTSD. I’ll stand by you, no matter what. I’ll listen, even when my first instinct is to assume the worst. I’ll love you, protect you, and cherish you. I’ll be your anchor when the nightmares creep in, your safe place when the world feels too much. I won’t always get it right, but I promise you, Starling, I’ll never run again.”
Todd finds my hand with his. “We love you, Savannah. Our starling.”
“We do,” Colton echoes, softer now, his gaze steady.
Tears burn my eyes, my throat tight and useless. These men—they love me. They want me. They see my scars, my sharp edges, and they’re choosing me anyway.
My chest tightens with so much emotion I can barely breathe.
I drop to my knees between them, reaching for both of their hands. “And I love you.” I lean in to press a lingering kiss to Todd’s lips, then turn to Colton, cupping his jaw and kissing him just as deeply.
Before Colton can take control—because I know he will—I pull back and smack him lightly on the back of the head. “You better not run from me again, my fiancé.”
“Ouch,” he complains, rubbing the spot.
Todd’s laughter fills the space between us, rich and full.
I grin, but Colton narrows his eyes. “Did you just hit your Dom?”
My grin fades.
Oops.