Wrapping my hand in Brooklyn’s, I take the keys and paperwork before I guide her over to the luggage carousel. I keep her close as I unload our bags. It only takes us about thirty minutes before we’re in our car and headed toward the hotel.
My parents, brothers, and newlywed Luna are already there and waiting for us. They’ve already made plans for dinner tonight, even though I just want to spend the evening buried inside of my wife.
“Are you excited for this whole thing?” she asks after I’ve plugged the hotel’s information into the GPS.
I snort. “I’ll be excited to be inside of you again, that’s about it.”
“You’re awful,” she hums as her phone chimes.
“I know.”
From my peripheral vision, I can see that she’s frowning down at her phone. “You okay?” I ask.
She turns to me, a gigantic smile forming on her lips. “I got my very first solo case at the firm,” she whispers.
I want to smile back at her. I want to congratulate her. I want to do a fuck of a lot, but instead my heart begins to race as I think about the last time she had a solo case.
I just stare at her, unsure of how to respond to her. I try not to scream, yell, or demand that she quits, but I really fucking want to.
“Okay,” I say, biting my tongue.
“It’s a good thing. Lucas. I’ll be on my own soon enough, but this is huge. That firm is so big and most newbies like me, we don’t get our own cases,” she explains.
I already know this. Because I’m the one who had the contact to get her the job. I was the one who made sure that wherever she worked that it would not be in direct contact with clients, that she wouldn’t have her own cases.
That she would just do her job and go home every night.
That she would be safe.
“I just worry.” I shrug as I continue to drive through the ridiculous fucking Austin traffic.
She hums, reaching for my hand and lacing her fingers with my own. “I know that you do. I love you for it, too.”
I stay silent, waiting for her to say something else. I know that she has something to say and I’m going to wait it out so that I don’t say something that makes me sound like the fucking asshole that I am.
“It’s going to be okay. I promise,” she whispers.
I snort. She can’t promise shit. I don’t tell her that though. I try to breathe through my irritation, my anger, my goddamn fear. Her hand slowly slides up my arm then I feel her small fingers wrap around my neck.
“You’ll always protect me, Lucas. But I’ll protect you too, and I will always make sure that I’m safe, that we’re safe,” she rasps.
“I love you, Brooklyn Black.”
“I love you so much it hurts, Lucas.”
Finding an exit, I find a spot to pull over, turning in my seat to face her. “You’re not working past six. I’ll be taking you and dropping you off, every fucking day, no exception. I’ll bring you lunch, daily. You will never be out of my sight while you’re on this case. Do you understand me?”
Her lips twitch into a smile and she leans forward slightly, her lips touching mine. “You take me to work every day and pick me up since we’re in the same building. You also take me to lunch every day. And you have a tracker on my phone. You know where I am every second of every day.”
“Damn fucking right I do,” I grunt.
Her tongue slides out and tastes the seam of my lips. There on the side of the road, somewhere in Austin, Texas, I kiss the absolute fuck out of my wife.
It doesn’t matter if that fucked up Dunning case happened a year ago, or yesterday, it still scares the shit out of me. I will always want to keep her safe, always worry about her, and always know where she is every second of every day.
When you almost lose the only person you have ever loved, you’ll do some crazy goddamn shit.
I would do anything for my beautiful wife.
Anything.
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About the Author
As an only child, Hayley Faiman had to entertain herself somehow. She started writing stories at the age of six and never really stopped.
Born in California, she met her now husband at the age of sixteen and married him at the age of twenty in 2004. After all of these years together, he’s still the love of her life.
Hayley’s husband joined the military and they lived in Oregon, where he was stationed with the US Coast Guard. They moved back to California in 2006, where they had two little boys. Recently, the four of them moved out to the Hill Country of Texas, where they adopted a new family member, a chocolate lab named Optimus Prime.
Most of Hayley’s days are spent taking care of her two boys, going to the baseball fields for practice, or helping them with homework. Her evenings are spent with her husband and her nights—those are spent creating alpha book boyfriends.
Special Thanks
I always say a special thank you to my husband, my best friend, truly he is the man who supports every single dream of mine and works to make them all come true.
My mom is everything. She knew I had a dream and has stood behind me as a rock, cheering me on at every single dip and curve along the road to making it come true. She’s the kindest, most loving, and most supportive mom in the world. Thank you, Banana Boots.
Ellie McLove, this book would not be without you. This cover is beautiful. The content clean and crisp. Thank you so much for being my friend and for generally being a badass.
Rosa Sharon, thank you so much for proofreading, you always add that finishing touch that makes my books sparkle!
Celia one of my biggest fans and supporters. You’re the best and my longest friend. Thank you for always being there for me.
Crystal Snyder, thank you for being such a beautiful person inside and out, and a wonderful friend! I can’t wait for more adventures that await us!!
Tammy Cole, thank you for always being there for me and lending a listening ear. I truly appreciate our friendship! Thank you for alpha reading for me!!
Dessure Hutchins, thank you so much for everything. I am so grateful to have you!!
Thank you to my reader group, Hayley’s Asshole Alphas, you ladies always brighten up my day!!! Love you!
To all the Blogger babes that have taken a chance on me…
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
APPEAL: Esquire Black Duet #2 Page 21
