Page 78 of Riot’s Revenge

Her lower lip trembled.

“I made the woman I love feel like she was second place to a woman who meant absolutely fucking nothing to me.”

She wiped another tear away angrily.

“And I’ll regret that for the rest of my life.”

“Please get up.”

“Not yet.”

Her eyes met mine.

“I need everybody here to hear this part.” I looked around the clubhouse. At every brother, prospect and woman.

Then back at Maria.

“You are it for me.”

Her breath caught.

“There won’t be another woman.”

I heard someone shift behind me.

“Not today. Not next year. Not if you walk out that door and decide you can never trust me again.”

Her face crumpled.

“I don’t want another woman touching me. Don’t want one in my bed. Don’t want one thinking she’s got even the smallest fuckin’ chance with me.” I swallowed. “I want you.”

A tear rolled down her cheek.

“But wanting you doesn’t mean I get to have you.”

Her eyes searched mine.

“So, I’m not asking you to take me back today.”

Her eyebrows pulled together.

“I’m not asking you to come home. I’m not asking you to forget what I did. I’m not even asking you to believe me yet.”

“Then what are you asking?”

“Watch me.” She went still. “That’s it.” My voice came out rough, I was getting choked up. “Watch me prove every fuckin’ word.”

“Riot . . .”

“I love you, Maria.”

Her eyes closed.

“Enough that I finally understand that if you never take me back, I still have to become the man I should’ve been when I had you.”

Fuck. My eyes burned, but I didn’t care. Let them all fucking see. I slowly got back onto my feet, every instinct I had told me to go to her, so I took a step.

Maria stepped back and held out her hands to keep me away.