Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 132657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
She felt drugged as she lay on Jensen’s body. Niall slipped out of her and kissed the back of her neck before he headed to the bathroom.
“Love you,” Jensen whispered. “Don’t ever want to let you go.”
She smiled and kissed him, settling in even as Niall eased back into bed. “Love you, too. Both of you.”
Niall cuddled behind her, keeping them all close. “Remind your dad of that in the morning. I’m worried he’s still got the sniper plan in mind.” He chuckled and nuzzled the back of her neck. “Remind him how much we love you. But maybe don’t mention this part.”
It was her turn to laugh because this moment was perfect.
And she was going to make sure it stayed that way.
Chapter Sixteen
Jensen took one last look at the two most important people in his life. Harlow was in the middle of the bed. He’d lain there for hours with her head on his chest. He’d thought about leaving it all up to fate. If she stayed where she was, he couldn’t wake her, and that meant Jack would leave and there was nothing he could do about it. He would stay and talk to her parents and do what they wanted him to do. It would be rude to leave without at least talking to them. Saying good-bye. Of course if they woke up, he likely wouldn’t be able to say good-bye and Jack would leave and he would end up letting her parents take over. If he thought for a second her mom and Ben would advise her to let him go, he would do it.
It was cowardly, but he’d considered it.
When she’d sighed and turned in her sleep and Niall’s arms had gone around her, he’d known he had to get his ass up and do the right thing.
The right thing was going to kill him. The right thing was breaking his heart, and he would never be fucking whole again.
He was turning himself in, and he was going to request witness protection, and the next time he would see them would be years from now. It would take years for the whole debacle to wind its way through the court system, and then he would have to weigh the risks. He couldn’t think about the future. By this time tomorrow he might be in another state. Or on his way to DC, since this was going to likely be handled by the big guys. The two people he loved most in the world wouldn’t be kept informed of his whereabouts. They would be told it was classified and that by all accounts Jensen Wiley no longer existed.
They would move on without him. Niall would become her husband, her only Dom. He would be a part of her big family, and he would make himself important to all of them. Jensen could see his best friend charming Nat Dawson over brunch and watching football with Ben. Niall’s charm and love for Harlow would eventually bring Chase around.
Would they have kids by the time he was free again? If he was ever free again.
His gut clenched at the thought. He didn’t want to leave them. He wanted to stay right here and never leave. He wanted to stay warm and soft with the family he never actually dreamed of because he’d been so sure he would be alone.
He hadn’t understood the damn word. Alone meant being without them.
He heard the slight sound of a door opening down the hallway and knew he had to go. He’d dressed in the bathroom but his boots were in his hands because they would make enough noise to wake Niall, and he couldn’t stand a big dramatic scene.
Was he being an asshole? A coward because he wasn’t facing them? Or was he sparing them a whole lot of heartache by not forcing them to watch him go?
It didn’t matter because there was no longer any time left.
Jensen moved as quietly as he could, easing the door closed. He turned and Jack was standing there, his backpack slung over his left shoulder.
“You’re up early,” Jack said quietly. “Can’t sleep? Or are you dreading this morning’s meeting with the family?” He moved toward the kitchen. He looked a bit older in the early morning light, with his grim expression and tired eyes. This was the real Jack O’Malley. “Here’s the key. Ignore Chase. Talk to Ben and Nat. Especially Nat. You get her on your side and Chase will fall in line. There’s a saying in our family. Chase acknowledges no authority but one.”
“His wife.” Jensen didn’t blame him. He kind of thought he would be the same way. Would have been if he’d had a real chance with Harlow.
Jack nodded and yawned and moved to the sink. He pulled out a glass and used the tap. After a long drink he turned to Jensen. “Is there a place that serves coffee at this time of the morning out here? I suspect yes since this is a ranching community and those motherfuckers tend to be up early.”