Page 22 of Rehabilitated

I blink, realizing he’s been talking to me. “Sorry.”

His brow knits together immediately. “Are you okay? You kind of… checked out.”

“I heard her.”

“Who?” He glances around.

“Her!”

His eyes widen. “Your bear?”

“Yes! She talked to me.”

A grin breaks across his face. “That’s incredible. What did she say?”

“That—” I hesitate. “That I shouldn’t leave.”

His smile softens. “Your bear is smart.”

I roll my eyes. “She also said she’s here now.”

Russo reaches for my hand. “I knew she’d come.”

“And she said we can protect ourselves.”

“You can.” His thumb rubs across my knuckles. “And you’ll never have to do it alone again.”

I look up at him, weighing my words. “I don’t want you getting hurt because of me.”

Russo steps closer, his body heating mine. “I won’t.”

“You can’t guarantee that,” I argue. “No one can.”

His eyes drop to the ground between our feet for a moment. When he looks up at me again, his expression is dead serious. “I’d leave.”

“What?”

“If you needed to move somewhere else to feel safe, I’d pack my truck today.”

I stare at him. “You can’t.”

“I can.”

“This is your home.”

“You are my home, mate,” he corrects, his eyes never leaving mine.

My heart squeezes painfully.

“Russo—”

“I mean it,” he says solemnly, lacing his fingers through mine. “I searched half the world looking for you. I’m not losing you.”

A tear slips down my cheek. “I don’t want to ruin your life.”

“You’ve done the opposite.” He steps closer until our foreheads touch. “My life didn’t start until I found you.”

Another tear escapes.