I pull back and stroke my thumb over her cheek. “If something ever happens to me, you and Chance will always be taken care of.”

“I don’t want to be taken care of.” She frowns and struggles to push me off her. “I want you. With us. In our lives. Every day.”

“And I will be.”

“What should I do?”

“Nothing. Trial’s over. You won’t be testifying. Now or ever.”

A tear slides down her cheek.

“He got what was coming to him. Don’t shed any tears over that piece of shit.”

“I’m not,” she protests. “I’m scared for you.”

“Look at me.” I grip her arms and give her a shake. “This is who I am. What I do. The risks I take. You’re going to be my wife. You take me as I am.”

“Z,” she cries, her hands slide into my hair, tears stream down her cheeks as I lock her in my arms.

“You’re mine. I protect you, Lilly. Always.”

She kisses my chest and nods. “Thank you.”

I run my hands over her back. “And I’ll punish anyone who hurts you.”

Chapter Forty-Six

Lilly

The next morning, my pulse races when I remember what happened.

The man who ruined my life is dead, murdered by the man who turned my life upside down in the best ways possible and gave me everything I never knew I needed.

Z’s confession. His massive declaration of his love and commitment. To me. To our family. The risk he took to protect me.

I’m scared because I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose him. But I have to trust him.

After breakfast, I still can’t stop thinking about it. I’m staring out at the pool, not really seeing anything. Ruminating over the last few years.

Z’s hands settle on my shoulders “Come on, let’s go out for a ride today.”

We bring Chance next door and he excitedly runs inside to play with Alexa and Carter. I’m not sure Alexa’s as thrilled to lose all of her Uncle Carter’s attention, but Heidi assures us it’s fine.

“Oh, let me go change,” I say as Z heads for the garage.

He sweeps his gaze over my outfit and nods.

I hurry upstairs and dig through my closet. I’ve been dying to wear these for a while now but between rotten weather and hiding out in the house, we haven’t gone riding lately.

“What’cha got there?” he asks.

He’s leaning against the door frame, watching me with amusement as I zip up the tall black leather boots I bought specifically for riding with him. “These are okay, right?” I ask.