Page 178 of Graves

Aran tilts his head and nuzzles into my neck. “How are you feeling?” he asks instead. “Are you okay?”

I retract a little and meet his eyes. “I was in full Terminator mode earlier. I definitely belong behind bars. But that’s not going to happen. And unlike with Jerry… I feel relieved. The rage I felt toward Luke is gone.”

Aran squeezes my hand weakly, letting me know he’s with me.

I laugh. “Shit! A few days ago, I was talking to Dr. Mason about finding a way to close the chapter with Luke. I’m pretty sure he had something else in mind.”

“I can only approve, considering what he did to me,” Aran says, nodding at his bandaged arms with a wink. “You know that, right?”

“Of course,” I answer, but my mouth twitches. “From now on I’m Gandhi again. I swear.” I can’t hold back the laughter anymore. “Kuso… I spent years preaching non-violence, only to throw all my principles out the window in one night. For you. And you know what? I don’t regret it one bit.”

Aran smiles. Before he can speak, I continue. “I had so many prejudices against you. It was just fear. Fox told me on the first night to give you a chance. He was sure you’d surprise me. And you did, Aran. I never imagined I’d meet someone like you. I’ve trusted you with almost all my secrets. I don’t know if that’s healthy, but I’m glad I can talk to you about everything.”

“Will you tell Dr. Mason about this?”

“About what happened with Luke? I don’t know. Should I?”

Aran laughs softly. “Doctor-patient confidentiality or not, I’d suggest talking to your brother about that. Or even better—Selene. Levi strikes me as a bit… sociopathic in these matters.”

“Levi isn’t a sociopath,” I laugh. “A doctor confirmed that. But he looked at me like I stole his favorite toy and broke it. And Nahla congratulated me! The world has gone mad.” I pause, then smile. “No… actually, everything feels exactly right.” I lean in again and kiss his soft lips. “It’s so good to sit here with you, talking about these things and laughing. I don’t know what would’ve become of me if you hadn’t made it. I need you.”

“I need you too,” he answers against my lips, lifting the hand with the IV. “I mean, I try to slow down and they pump me full of drugs again.”

Grinning, I rest my forehead against his. “You’ll get clean again. I’m sure of it. Because now you have me.”

“As soon as my arms aren’t so stiff, I’m going to cling to you and never let go.”

I caress his cheek tenderly. “You make me happy. You know that?”

“You make me happy too. Fuck, I already miss the little asparagus!”

“Oh shit… Pixie. I completely forgot about her. I hope Levi took care of her.”

“Levi?”

“We picked her up and then I got that sick message from Luke. Pixie is the reason I got there in time, and I just left her in Levi’s car!”

Aran laughs. “He must have been thrilled.”

“I’m not so sure,” I say, knowing Levi has never formed any kind of bond with animals. He already struggles with women, jumping from one fling to the next. But the image makes me laugh. “Ha! Imagine him with Luke tied up in the back, and Pixie barking her head off the whole way to the warehouse.”

Aran pulls a face. Then we both burst out laughing.

My heart warms when I see him laugh. I give him another loving kiss. “I love you, Aran. And don’t worry. You’re not getting rid of Pixie and me anytime soon. I want to meet your family. For real.”

“That might be difficult. Since I became a murderer, they want nothing to do with me.”

“As far as I know, a very pregnant Sophie is waiting for you to be discharged so she can visit.” My grin widens. “Yeah, you can’t talk your way out of that one. Feel free to tell them exactly who I am.”

“God help us.” Aran chuckles. “From now on we’re respectable people.”

“I’ll do my best, but my family is clinging to me and doing everything to pull me back into the business.”

“At least on the surface, babe,” he corrects. “Do what you have to do. I’m looking forward to quiet times with you and our dog.”

I can hardly wait for those quiet times. I press my lips to his and seal our happiness with a deep, heartfelt kiss.

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