“You’re my heart and soul, Geneva.” The words hadn’t been planned, but they were honest and deep from my heart.

“You’re mine too, Axel.”

And my life would never be the same from that point forward—in the best way possible.

Chapter 33—Spring Sunshine

~~Geneva~~

Teagan spent a day in the hospital and was released the next day. She’d been dehydrated and had scratches and bruises on her legs. When her mother left to get groceries and hadn’t returned after several hours, she’d left, deciding she wanted to go home. She’d gotten lost at a Y in the logging road and had eventually doubled back.

She came home and was resting peacefully. Jock hovered near her side, and the other kids came in and out often to make sure she was okay. Teagan was exhausted but in good spirits. She’d had a hell of an ordeal, but she was my brother’s daughter. She was strong, and she’d get through this.

“Hey, I’m going to head to the condo for a while, take a shower, relax a little, let you guys have some family time together,” Axel said softly from the doorway of Teagan’s room. Jock glanced up from his vigil beside his daughter’s bed. He rose and came over to the doorway. I followed him.

“I want to thank you for all your help,” Jock said and reached out to shake Axel’s hand. “But don’t think this means anything has changed between us. I tolerate your presence, and that’s it.”

“Fair enough.” Axel grinned at my brother and Jock grinned back.

“I’ll walk you out,” I said. We both turned to head downstairs.

“One more thing,” Jock called from the doorway.

Axel and I turned as one and waited for my brother to continue.

“If you tell anyone on the team how I fell apart, I’ll kick your ass all the way to the Yukon Territory.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Axel said.

“Thanks, again.” Jock’s face softened slightly before he went back to Teagan’s bedside.

Axel and I walked hand in hand to his car.

“I think your brother’s warming up to me.”

“You think?”

“He hasn’t given me a black eye in a long time.”

“Well, there is that.”

After some pretty intense kisses, Axel drove away, and I went back inside.

I joined him at Axel’s condo a few hours later. Steele and he were sitting in front of the television watching Vegas in the playoffs.

My boyfriend—God, I loved the sound of that—welcomed me with open arms, and we shared a soul-deep kiss. Things had shifted so much between us in the past few days, and I was secure in my relationship with him. I loved him. He loved me. He’d seen me through the worst of times, and God forbid, if the situation was reversed, I’d do the same for him. We had each other’s backs, and we would make this relationship not only work but flourish.

Steele offered me a beer, which I gladly accepted and flopped down on the couch next to Axel.