Chapter 76

Chapter 76
I unlock the door and pull the door open, only to find his familiar handsome face looking back at me.

He’s dressed in a white shirt and blue denim jeans, and I don’t think he could look any better.

I know, I know. I probably sound like some horny bitch, but I don’t care. It’s Brian. And being horny for him is just a side effect of being madly in love with him.

Of course, at the mere sight of him, my lips forget to worry or frown.

I throw myself at him, my legs wrapped around his waist, my arms around his neck, holding him tightly.

“Oh, Brian. I missed you so, so, so, so much!” I’m half smiling, half crying.

I don’t even know why. Maybe because the past few days have been pure hell without him. Maybe because I’ve truly been scared, and now the relief washing over me is making me realize just how much I really need him in my life.

He laughs softly, the sound vibrating against my ear as he holds me tighter. His arms feel like the safest place in the world.

“I missed you too,” he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.

I pull back slightly to look at him, my hands still gripping his shirt. His eyes are full of warmth, but there’s a quiet, unspoken concern behind them.

“Brian…” I start, but my voice falters. I want to tell him everything—the fear, the threats, the constant feeling that something bad is just around the corner—but the words catch in my throat.

He lifts a hand to my cheek, gently wiping away a tear I didn’t even realize had fallen. “Let’s take this inside, okay?”

I nod, suddenly incapable of speaking anymore.

Brian leads us inside, shutting the door with the back of his foot.

He guides us into the living room, his hands still holding me close like he’s afraid I might slip away.

We sit down on the couch, and I cling to him like a bloody koala.

Not that he minds. Brian never minds. He just loves. Loves like no one ever loved anyone, that’s for sure.

He pulls me closer, and I bury my face in his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear. His arms wrap around me, strong and comforting, as though he could shield me from everything that’s threatening to tear me apart. I let out a shaky breath, my body trembling with everything I’ve been holding in.

Brian doesn’t speak for a long while, and I’m thankful for that. Words would feel too heavy right now.

His fingers gently stroke my back, grounding me, and I close my eyes, letting myself be enveloped by his warmth. I can feel the tension in my shoulders start to melt, and for the first time in days, I begin to believe that maybe everything will be okay. At least for now.

“You’re safe here,” he finally says, his voice low, deep, almost a whisper. His breath is warm against my hair, his words wrapping around me like a protective shield. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Ava. I swear.”

I nod against his chest, my hands clutching the fabric of his shirt as if it’s the only thing keeping me tethered to reality. The thought of losing him—or having him hurt because of me—makes my chest tighten. But right now, in his arms, it’s the only place I want to be.

“I know,” I murmur, my voice muffled. “I just… I don’t want you to get hurt. Not because of me.”

He pulls my head back, gazing deeply into my eyes. “Who says I’ll ever get hurt because of you?”

Another tear rolls down my face. “I don’t know… I just… after what happened to Sean, I don’t know what to think anymore. I just know that I can’t let you get hurt. I just can’t.”

“Hey, hey, hey, look at me,” he grabs my chin, gently bringing my face back to his, wiping my tears away. “You’re thinking too much. You didn’t do anything, Ava. Sean was trying to protect you. Something I would’ve done without a second thought.”

“I know, but still… it doesn’t feel right. My friends and family getting hurt because of me… it’s not fair, Brian. It’s just not.”

“Ava, listen to me.” His hands frame my face, his thumb brushing away the last of my tears. “This is not your fault. You’re not the cause of any of this. I know you feel guilty, but Sean… he did what he did because he loves you. And I’d do the same thing, without hesitation. Anyone who loves you would.”

“But it is my fault. I’m the one who’s being targeted. I’m the one who has the threats hanging over me, and everyone around me is getting hurt because of it. I don’t know how to stop it, Brian. I don’t know how to keep everyone safe.”

“I do,” he says, kissing my forehead, then the tip of my nose, and finally a soft peck on my lips. “Now that I’m here, I’ll handle this. You trust me, right?”

I nod. “I do. I love you.”

The corner of his mouth curls into a small, beautiful, and comforting smile. “Then you have nothing to worry about. I love you too, Ava, and I’m fortunate to have another opportunity to prove it.”