Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“No, not really.” He takes a seat beside me. “I got my anger out, and yes, while you went behind my back, you have to know I’m not stupid. I can look at the end result and admit it all worked out. Yeah, you got a bullet hole in your arm—”
“It was just a scratch,” I say.
“That needed stitches,” he chastises, “but I’m also accepting the overwhelming relief this is over, and it’s dulling the anger a bit. Do I wish you had been honest and just told me that you were going to do it no matter what I said? Yes. Do I also understand why you didn’t? Yes, I understand that too. I was being heavy-handed, demanding you do what I say without any thought to your feelings, and I’m adult enough to admit that was wrong. In the future, Mila… if you disagree with me, fine. I’d just ask you not go behind my back.”
I bite my lip to keep it from trembling. “Okay. I promise I won’t.”
Penn offers me a brilliant smile and I can truly feel he’s let go of the anger. “Anyway, we’ll figure out what to do with your house there. Whatever you want. But I want you here. In this house. And when the time’s right, maybe we’ll find a place that’s ours—not just mine.”
Emotion clogs my throat, tears threatening to flood.
But he’s not done. He continues to talk and with each word that comes out of his mouth, euphoria swims through my veins, making me lightheaded. “You’ll work from here—graphic design, whatever makes you happy. We’ll set up a nice office for you.”
I nod, unable to speak.
“And one of the things I’m really looking forward to is holidays together. Just us, or with the team, or friends. Your aunt Dorene for sure, and hell… maybe even Peter. No more lonely Christmases for either of us.”
Tears sting my eyes.
“If you ever want to get involved with the team stuff—charity work, events—you can. But only if you want to. I already know you’re getting close with some of the women, and you will be friends for life with them.”
I swallow hard, overwhelmed.
“And someday,” he continues, softer now, “if you want kids—two, three, four, whatever—we’ll figure that out too.”
It’s too much. Too perfect. Too impossible.
“Penn,” I whisper.
He finally reaches for my hand.
“I love you, Mila,” he says quietly. “This is me loving you. Planning a life with you. Wanting everything with you. You’ve changed my life for the better. You took a reclusive, bitter man with no emotional capacity and showed him a better way. You opened my heart and my mind. You made me not only a better man but a better teammate to those who need me. Yes, I’m pissed you put yourself in danger, but I can absolutely forgive that because you’ve given me so much more.”
Tears slip down my cheeks.
“I love you too,” I choke out. “So much.”
He pulls me into his arms, careful of my injury. His hold is strong enough to steady me, gentle enough to unravel me all over again. He tucks me against his chest like I’m something breakable and precious, like he’s anchoring me to this moment, to him, to everything we’re about to build.
And maybe that’s exactly what love is—not loud or showy—but a quiet certainty that out there, the world will keep spinning, messy and unforgiving.
But in here, with him, I’ve already found my home.
My future.
My forever.