“I’m not sure I’m kidding about locking you up somewhere if that means I get to keep seeing you,” he finally said.
“Is that what it takes for you to get a girlfriend?”
“I don’t know. I’m trying it out. What do you think?”
“Scrap that idea and try another one.”
“Okay.” He swallowed. “How about—I like you. I really like you, and the idea of putting you on a plane by yourself today, tomorrow, or whenever, doesn’t sit right with me. I want you to come with me, let my mother harass you until you can’t stand here, then let me take you home or wherever you want to go.” Maybe by then he’d have figured out the rest.
“Wow.” Erin stared at him, her eyes gone wide.
“That’s probably too much.” He ducked his head, heat crawling up his neck. At least he hadn’t said he loved her.
“I...don’t do casual well. The only reason it’s ever worked is because most guys are gone in a week at most. I’m rusty at relationships, but...”
“All I know is, this morning I woke up without you, and I don’t want to do that again.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in tight. He’d never wanted to be a better version of himself more than he wanted that right now. “I fuck up a lot of the good things in my life, but I’d like a chance to get it right. So if that means you need time or space or whatever, okay. All good things need time to grow.”
“You do know I’ve just about burned all my bridges, I’m jobless, and I’ve got nothing going for me right now?” She tipped her chin up, eyes searching his.
“I hear the beach is a good place to soak up some good ideas.”
“I think I’ve maxed out all the sun and sand good ideas.”
“Back home I always used to climb up to the hay loft and dig around for some up there.”
“Find any?”
“A few.”
“Then maybe that’s where I need to go.” She stared at his chest.
“I can’t promise my mother will behave.”
“At least I know where you get it from.”
He sputtered a laugh and kissed her forehead.
“My mama’s going to love you,” he said.
“What about you?” Erin asked.
“I’m trying very hard not to say anything stupid.”
“Why start now?”
“Because then I might say something like, I don’t like you, I love you, and then you might not want to go searching for good ideas in the hay loft.”
Erin blew out a breath and leaned against him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his chest.
“If you say it I’ll say it,” she said.
“It?” He grinned at her one eye glaring up at him. “I know it wasn’t what we agreed on, but I fell for you somewhere between, hey, let’s run away, and hey, let’s try to not die today. You think it’s okay if I say I love you?”
“Is it okay if I say I love you, too?”
“Hell yeah.” Riley didn’t wait for Erin to say anything else. He bent her backward and kissed her lips. Whatever came next, he wanted her in it.
Epilogue.
SIX WEEKS LATER. FEDERAL Courthouse, Ft Worth, Texas.
Erin stepped through the doors, escaping a few moments ahead of those allowed in the courtroom. She’d sweated through her shirt to the point that her jacket felt damp, but it was over. Two days of testimony, and her part was over.
Riley, Khalil and Casey sat on the bench across from the doors.
“How’d it go?” Riley crossed to her and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Fine.” She glanced at Khalil.
Their secret was still theirs. There was so much to untangle in regard to the black-ops side of Allied’s business that no one cared about their role beyond how it all went public. She would take the fact that Khalil kidnapped her to her grave, and so would the others.
She squeezed Riley and let go of him.
Over the last few weeks she’d gotten to know Khalil. They’d talked, helping heal much of the other’s pain and come to terms with the future in a new light.
She took Khalil’s hand in hers.
“Thank you,” he muttered.
“None of this would have happened without that amazing brain of yours.” She squeezed him.
“I wish I could go with you guys, but I’m next.” Khalil glanced at the Smith boys.
“Keep the answers short. Stick to the details. You’ll be fine. Good luck.” She hoped that this wasn’t the end of their connection. Khalil and Riley were one of the few who knew the truth. All of it. Besides, she’d grown to like Khalil.
He nodded and let go of her.
“Come on, let’s get out of here. See you around, Khalil.” Casey twirled his keys on his finger.
Erin was beyond ready to put this chapter of her life behind her. She threaded her fingers with Riley’s and let him lead her out of the building. Tomorrow would begin his turn, but unlike her, he only had a handful of hours dedicated to his story.
“Mom called yet?” Erin glanced at Riley.
“My mom or yours?” he asked.
“I meant yours. I imagine mine has already called a half-dozen times.” Erin chuckled.
“Your mother has my phone number.” Casey whipped around and stared at Erin. “How does your mother have my number?”
“At this point, I assume my mother spends an hour on the phone with everyone in your family and she knows more about my life than I do.” Erin shook her head. The first week she’d been in Miami she’d woken up to find her mother talking to Riley’s mother. And they didn’t sound like strangers.
“I am never getting married,” Casey muttered.
“I think he just cursed himself.” Erin jabbed Riley in the ribs with her elbow.
“Speak of that adorable angel.” Riley looped his arm around Erin’s shoulder and held up his phone. Mrs. Smith’s face filled the screen.
“You’re done? Finally!”
“Yeah, my stomach’s ready to be done.” Erin chuckled. She hadn’t
