Dom
I lunge toward Olivia wanting to block the bullet.
The world slows down, every millisecond stretching into eternity.
My body jerks sideways, and suddenly I'm falling, my legs giving out beneath me.
The concrete floor slams against my shoulder, knocking the wind from my lungs.
Did he hit me? I can't feel anything except the thundering of my heart and sharp pain in my shoulder.
I blink hard, trying to clear my vision. With my wrists still cuffed behind me, I feel like a dead fish on the floor.
What the fuck happened? Was I shot? Was Olivia?
I drag myself up to my knees, scanning frantically for Olivia. I scan my surroundings and land on Blackwood's body lying several feet away.
His eyes stare upward, wide with shock, a dark stain spreading across his chest.
"Olivia?" My voice comes out ragged.
She stands with her service weapon still extended. She fired before Blackwood could.
I watch Olivia lower her weapon, her breathing shallow and rapid. The cuffs dig into my wrists as I shift my weight, my shoulder throbbing where I hit the concrete.
My mind races through the possibilities of her next move.
Will she call this in? Arrest me? Finish what Blackwood started?
Her eyes remain fixed on Blackwood's body, her professional mask slipping to reveal the turmoil beneath. I've never seen her look so lost.
Part of me wants to tell her to run, to leave me here with Blackwood's body and save herself. I could handle whatever comes next. I always do.
But the knowledge that she's carrying my child changes everything. Whatever happens to me, I need her safe.
I hold my breath, waiting for her decision. If she takes me in, I'll understand. If she shoots me, at least I'll die knowing I tried to protect what's mine. But if she stays with me...
"Are you hurt?" she asks.
I shake my head, ignoring the throbbing pain in my shoulder. "I'm fine." Right now, all I care about is that she's standing there, alive, her gun no longer pointed at me.
"Is it true?" I ask. "About the baby?"
Olivia's eyes meet mine, guilt flickering across her face before she looks away. She nods once, a barely perceptible movement that changes my entire world.
“You didn’t want me in the baby’s life.” The pain of that is more acute than any I’ve ever felt.
“I hadn’t made any decisions.”
“I’ll be a good father, Olivia. You may think I’m a criminal, but I understand family.”
She looks down. “I know.” Then she raises her gaze to me. “You tried to save my life.”
I nod. “But it turns out you saved yourself. I guess you don’t need me.”
I watch her face, searching for something I can hold onto. But the wall between us feels insurmountable now.
I'm in love with her, but maybe that's not enough.
Maybe it can never be enough.
I represent everything she's sworn to fight against.
Her head tilts. “Or maybe you need me.”
Hope blooms at those words. “That goes without saying.”
Her grip on the gun loosens. The tension in her shoulders seems to ease slightly. "You... you should be behind bars."
Like a fucking roller coaster, my hope careens downward. “Maybe, but not for this.” I study her. “Are you going to arrest me?”
“What for? You’re not trespassing. You have an alibi for Agent Mullins. I killed Blackwood.”
I take another step forward, feeling grateful she's so honest. Any other cop or agent would be finding or making up reasons to arrest me. “I’m not the monster Blackwood is. I just want to protect you and the people I care about.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t pretend you’re innocent.”
“I never have. But I’m not here to hurt people. That's what Blackwood wanted. He killed and manipulated, but not for justice."
"You kill and manipulate for justice?" Her tone suggests she's trying to make sense of the difference between me and Blackwood.
"To protect you and our child, I do whatever it takes, Olivia. I'll burn the world down for you."
"I don't need that." She doesn't. She's smart and strong and fierce and brave.
"I know. In my defense, what I do would be considered legal in some situations.”
She frowns. “What do you do?”
My lips twitch upward. “I plead the fifth.” I step closer until I'm inches away from her. I gaze into her eyes, wanting to see the love I have for her reflected back to me. “Or you could marry me, and I’ll tell you all.”
She rolls her eyes. “Only because a wife can’t be compelled to testify against a husband.”
I shrug, disappointed she thinks I'm joking. “There’s that, but mostly I love you.” It's ridiculous how much I need her to say it back.
But she doesn't. Instead, she moves around me and undoes the handcuffs.
I take her chin gently, tilting her face up to meet my gaze. “This doesn’t have to be impossible, Olivia. Not if you want it like I want it.”
I search her face, desperate to find some sign of what she's feeling. Her eyes are filled with uncertainty.
"I know I'm not what you planned. But I'm offering you everything I am."
She takes a shaky breath, her gaze locked with mine.
I've never felt so exposed, so vulnerable.
My entire life rests on this moment.
On whether or not she can accept the man I am.