He wanted to curse. To hit something. Someone. He knew he was a violent man. He’d been raised in violence and he knew he would always have that reaction, but not with Siena. She got his gentle. She got his heart and soul. He’d shredded something important in her, taken her self-esteem, her confidence, with the things he’d said to her after the first time they’d had sex.

He couldn’t take it all back, and he wanted it done between them. Over. He’d apologized more than once. He’d explained. He couldn’t have blown this. Siena was too important. There was no one else. There had never been anyone else. He was a fucking robot, and he knew if she left him, he was lost. Not even Drake would be able to pull him back from the edge. That was how far gone he was.

He dropped his forehead to hers, pressing into her. Breathing her in. Needing her. What the hell did a normal man do when he’d ripped out his woman’s heart? She was alone. Pregnant. Emotional. He’d clearly gutted her, but he didn’t know exactly what he’d done. What he said. He tried to go over the conversation with Drake in his mind, replaying it, but he’d been furious. He’d wanted to strangle Drake with his bare hands.

He hadn’t wanted to lay his life out in front of her. Or their future life. Not until he was absolutely certain she would stay with him of her own free will. He’d been so close. What the hell had happened? He felt lost. He’d never been in a relationship, and he didn’t know the first thing about them. He was floundering and Siena was far too important to him to be taking chances with saying something wrong. Still, he had nothing to give her but the truth.

“All right, baby, let’s start at the beginning. I know you’re upset. I see that. I promised you that you would be safe with me. I gave you my word and I meant it. That shooter shouldn’t have gotten anywhere near the property, let alone within distance to fire on us. On you. I was angry. Furious. I wanted to rip Drake’s head off. You should never have been in any danger. Not even a little bit.”