Chapter 88

He squeezed her fingers. "Victim doesn't equal weak. Regardless of what you decide, remember that much. You are ten times stronger than he is, and he'll never touch you again. You have my word." He suddenly looked a little distressed at her new stream of leaking tears. His eyes widened and his brow furrowed. "Or I could just kill him. Nakos told me once he knew where to hide a body so it'll never be found. Of course, he was threatening me at the time."

Laughing, she dropped her head on his shoulder. "I'll think about it. The pressing charges part, not murder."

"Open offer."

She laughed again, then sighed as they slipped into a comfortable silence. Animals scurried in the night and leaves crackled. She breathed in heavy humidity, the scent of wet grass and fertile soil, feeling calmer. A damp, rain-tinged quality hung in the air, and it had a strangely cleansing effect. Or maybe it was the company.

"You're a good guy, Nate."

"Didn't used to think so, but I'm a work in progress." He patted her leg. "The stuff I told you tonight was all a variation or another of what Olivia and Nakos have reiterated to me. Must be true, right?"

Smiling, she lifted her head. "Must be."

He studied her face. "Since we're here in the place of secrets, I have one for you. Olivia's pregnant."

On a gasp, she straightened.

"Yep. About six weeks along. She wants to wait a couple more before telling everyone, so act surprised when she does." He paused, staring ahead as if lost in thought. "We all get scared, Amy. Right now, I'm fucking terrified."

"Don't be." At his grunt, she squeezed his arm. "That's the best news. Consider it a fresh start. A clean slate. You're going to be a wonderful dad."

"If I don't royally screw it up."

"Not going to happen. You have all of us to help steer you in the right direction and you, of all people, understand what going without is like. Those instincts to protect are ingrained in your DNA. Plus, you love Liv so much. A baby is proof of that love."

A laugh, and he swiped a hand down his face. "No truer words." He sighed. Stared at her. "What about you? Gonna tell Nakos you love him? Put him out of his misery?"

She should've a long time ago. His giving heart, his unyielding patience, his strength? All root deep and part of the beautiful man she never thought she could have, nevertheless hold on to. The passion alone would keep her warm for the rest of her life. And for some reason, he wanted, loved, her above everyone else.

She'd work on believing she deserved him. Because Nate was right. It was time she stopped giving shame and fear the reins.

"I do love him."

"No kidding." He grinned and glanced around. "So, can I give you a lift home or is this your new pad?"

She lumbered to her feet and stretched. "Home, please."

Taking her offered hand, he stood as well, pretending to let her assist. No way she'd really budge him. "You sure? An inflatable mattress over there. A chair in the corner. You could be pretty solid here. Except for the leaking roof. That might be a problem."

"I'll have to bring it up with the landlord."

"Be happy to help. I hear she's a hot redhead."

"God." She laughed until her side ached. "Definitely a great guy. Come on. Take me home."

"Good choice."

They climbed down and strode over damp grass flickering with fireflies toward the driveway, where his Harley and Olivia's truck were parked. He opted for the truck, she assumed, because she was wet from the rain.

Once they were headed for the gate, he broke the silence. "Do me a favor. I'm going to talk to them when I get back, but come up to the house tomorrow and have a chat with Olivia and Kyle."

"I will." In fact, she pulled her cell out of her back pocket, relieved it turned on considering how drenched she'd gotten. She shot off a quick text to Liv, copying the same message for her brother.

I'm all right. Talk to you tomorrow. Love you.

She re-pocketed the phone as Nate cut the headlights and bumped up Nakos's driveway. He put the gear in Park and glanced at her in the truck's dim interior.

Anxiety twisted her belly, banded her lungs. "Is it stupid that I'm nervous as hell?"

"No." He rubbed his jaw. "Love has a way of bringing people like us to our knees. If you weren't nervous, I'd say there's something wrong with you. You're going to be okay, Amy."

A nod, a weak smile, and she stared at Nakos's cabin. Two stories of cedar with a wrap-around porch. No frills, just a couple rocking chairs, but she'd come to think of the place as home. Truthfully, she'd been more comfortable here than anywhere else. She'd never felt welcomed or wanted growing up in her parents' house, and the little ranch she'd had with Chris had seemed more like a weigh station for passing time.

Nakos had opened not only his cabin, but his life and heart to her. No hesitation. He'd given her the safety and security and love she'd been missing, that she'd so desperately craved and hadn't trusted. Which, she realized, had been wrong on her part. Understandable, but wrong. She should've believed in him.

The proof was right in front of her. Every light in the place was on as if he'd kept the torches burning for her safe return. Emotion squeezed her throat, put a sheen in her eyes.

"I am." She tore her gaze away from the house and looked at Nate. "I am going to be okay."

He flashed her a grin. "Damn right."

Exiting the vehicle, she strode up the porch steps and eyed the door. Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob.

Nakos sat on the couch, elbows on his thighs, hunched over with his head in his hands. His feet were bare and he wore a pair of loose gray sweats with a forest green tee. His raven strands were out of the band and in chaos as if he'd repeatedly fisted his hair. The rigidness of his frame was stiff with tension, and her heart lurched. Turned over in her chest.

As she closed the door, his head jerked up and his red-rimmed midnight eyes met hers. Wide. Frenzied. Disbelieving.

Oh God, he'd been crying. She opened her mouth to say something, but he shot to his feet, swept his gaze over her. Once. Twice.

Then, he made a choking sound and stalked to her. Ate the distance between them like the beast had total control of his body. He cupped her face, pressed her back against the door, and crushed his mouth to hers.