I’m wrapped up against his body with his big tattooed arm thrown protectively over me. When I snuggle my back into his chest and close my eyes, a hot tear rolls down my cheek. I’m thankful I’m facing away from him, I don’t have to explain my sadness.
“Everything will be okay tomorrow,” he whispers after several minutes. “I promise.”
“I know you’ll be okay,” I whisper back.
31
Ryker
I never fell asleep. Instead, I spent the night holding Pru in my arms and memorizing her face. If the challenge doesn’t go the way I want it too, I want to make sure I soak up as much of her as I can, and there’s a voice in my head telling me to hold her tight and breathe her in because it’s going to be the last time I ever do.
It’s still dark out when I climb out of bed and throw on some clothes. I look once more at Pruitt’s sleeping form. I decide to let her sleep a little bit longer, she looks peaceful, and God knows today will be anything but.
I quietly slip out the door and head downstairs. I’m not surprised to find my mother already in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in front of her. The coffee is untouched, and she stares blankly out the back windows.
“Mom?” When I reach over and give her shoulder a squeeze, she jumps a little at the sound of my voice.
“Hi, honey,” she sighs, reaching up and placing her hand over mine on her shoulder.
“It’s going to be okay,” I tell her—the same thing I said to Pru, but the more I say it, the more I don’t believe myself.
“I really want to believe that.”
My stomach sinks when I hear her voice break. The last thing I want to do is hurt my mother, but we’re all out of options. I can’t pull out of the challenge, especially when my sister is being held, and my mate’s life is on the line.
“I do too.” I move to her side, leaving my hand on her shoulder, and we sit in silence, both looking out at the still dark sky.
“I’m sorry I was away for so long,” I say after several minutes of silence. “If I could take it back, I would. I didn’t realize how much I missed you guys until I was home.”
“I hated that you were gone, but I understood why you had to be. There was too much pain here for you, and being here just caused you more.” She pats my hand. “I just wish we had more time. And I wish you had more time with Pru.”
“Me too.”
I walk up the stairs, and I hear Pru talking to someone, but when I walk into my room, she sitting on my bed looking at her phone.
“Were you talking to someone?” I ask, leaning against the doorframe. Her long hair looks even longer right now because of the way it’s thrown over her shoulder.
“I was talking to Addison.” She gives me a soft smile. “I told her you guys would be leaving soon.”
“We actually have to leave right now.” I cross the room and hold out my hand for her to take. She immediately reaches forward and takes it in hers, holding it tight as she climbs off the bed.
“Already?” Her brows draw together as she looks up at me.
“Yes. They’re waiting for me outside.”
We don’t say anything else as we walk downstairs hand in hand. We’re both trying to put on brave faces, but on the inside, I know she’s falling apart just like I am. I never thought I would be the one to leave her. But here I am, about to say goodbye to the love of my life and there’s a possibility I won’t be returning to her. And that thought alone is enough to make my heart break in two.
My parents, brothers, and a couple enforcers stand in front of the cars waiting for me. They all nod their heads at us before turning away so I can have a moment with Pruitt. She stands in front of me, head tilted up so she can look at me.
I’ll never get tired of seeing those bright green eyes looking at me. They hold so much emotion and are so expressive, and now as I look into them, I can see the pain shining through the strong facade she’s trying to show.
“I’m going to be okay.” I tuck a strand of blonde hair behind her ear before placing both hands on either side of her face. “I’ll come back to you in no time.”
“I know.” Her smile wobbles slightly. She holds onto my wrists, and I feel her thumb caress the “Grey” tattoo that sits there. “Everyone is going to be okay.”
“I love you, Pruitt.” As I say it, it doesn’t feel like the right words for how I feel for her. My love for her is all-consuming, and the thing that keeps my heart beating. My love for her is what is going to keep me alive today.
“I love you more,” she whispers as tears run down her face.
“I’ve loved you longer,” I feel my own eyes sting with emotion as tears begin to flow.
After an emotional kiss goodbye, I climb into the passenger side of my truck. My eyes never leave the rearview mirror as I watch her, standing there alone in the driveway, her long hair blowing across her face in the wind.
Even a minute later, when I can no longer see her, I keep my eyes on the mirror, hoping I’ll get one more glance at my beautiful mate.
But I know one more glance or look would never be enough, and that’s why I have to kill Nicolai Volkov today. I have an entire lifetime of love planned for Pruitt and me, and I’m
