Don't blame me too harshly, but this news sent thrills of relief into my aching body. I couldn't believe it. If Nehro was dead, then...

“You're free.” I said the words, tasted them. Looking up at the wonderful angel who sat in my lap, I repeated myself. “You're free, Zoe.”

Full strength, forgetting about my wounds, she collapsed on me and held me close. The embrace had the aura of being held at bay, and I pictured her sitting at my side, simply waiting for me to open my eyes so she could share the news.

New wetness tickled my cheek. Clasping her chin, I lifted her up. “You know,” I whispered, wiping the corners of her eyes. “For a girl that doesn't cry, you sure do water up a lot.”

Sniffling, she scrubbed her face and smiled. “I don't know how to tell you how happy I am right now. Can you even understand?”

“Of course I understand.” Pressing my lips to her cheek, I tasted her salt. Yes, her flavor did change with her moods, just like I'd always wondered.

Her eyes flashed, lightning in a spring sky. “I need to apologize, and to thank you. You—god, everything you did for me... Huck, you almost died. Reese wanted to kill you, and he was capable of it.”

“But he didn't.”

Suddenly, she couldn't look at me. Her shoulders rolled forward, chin to her chest. “Listen. I was thinking. Now that Nehro is gone... and Reese is going to jail... you're free, just like I am. You don't have to fight for me anymore.” She was speaking faster, rushing through her practiced speech. “I'll pay you what I owe you, and then you can go back to everything you were doing before. Safe stuff, stuff you actually enjoyed. I bet your clients miss you.”

A tiny seed of emotion grew, curling up through my guts and into my chest. I wasn't angry, that wasn't right. It was deeper, richer in nature.

Zoe... she was freeing me? She thought she could just wave her hand and I could return to my life before her?

My fingers slid up to her shoulder, curling behind the base of her neck. I wanted to kiss her, but I didn't. Not yet. “What are you doing?” I asked, steam and shadows coating my voice. “Do you honestly think I enjoyed my life more before you appeared?”

Fury took over, a fervor that was torn between tasting her and shouting. She thought I didn't understand her?

I needed her to understand me.

“Zoe,” I growled, thumb digging in; not to hurt, but to keep her aware. “Even with your debt gone, no one to collect on it... I can't walk away.” Narrowing my eyes, I searched hers for the proof I was after. “I'll never stop fighting for you. No matter how tired or hurt, I could be in a fucking grave and I would still rise up to protect you.”

Trembling, she wriggled on top of me. The heavy heat of something more welcoming than her doubts crept in. “Tell me why.”

Bringing her down to me, I brushed my lips on hers. She flexed, trying to reach me for a full on kiss. I squeezed, held her hair firm so she couldn't. “For the same reason you're trying to push me away. This misplaced desire to free me. As if leaving you would free me in any capacity.”

Whimpering, she looked down her nose and waited expectantly. Zoe needed me to tell her the truth. I'd never said the words before, they'd never come to my lips...

But now, they felt as natural as breathing.

“I love you, Zoe. Isn't it obvious?” I couldn't wait any longer. My mouth captured hers, fighting to reach every inch of her and still seeking more. I didn't need her to respond, I already knew how she felt.

Gripping me by the roots, she tugged my head back, pushed it against the pillow. Her breathing was rapid, lips glowing from my force. “You're insane,” she finally gasped. Zoe's words were raw. “There's nothing for you to protect me from anymore.”

“There's always something. When it shows up, I'll tear it down.”

Shaking her head, strands of crimson danced over her cheeks. She was even more gorgeous when she was flustered. “I don't want you to die for me. Ever.”

Lifting her shirt at the hem, I grazed her soft skin. She shivered instantly. “Then I guess I can't die. Guys like me, we're made from stronger stuff than you'd ever guess.”

Zoe kissed my temple, brushed my ear. “All humans can break.”

Hissing at the way she made my lower belly tighten, I wrapped my arms around her spine. “It's a good thing I'm a fucking bad boy, then,” I chuckled. “It's different than being just human. It's much better.”

In a burst of ferocity, she dissolved the distance. Our tongues melded, heat and heartbeats synchronizing. When she finally spoke, she did it against my lips, making them buzz with the vibration of her emotion. “I love you so much, Huxton. Do you realize that? I didn't think I'd ever fall for someone like you, not again. Not after everything. Falling in love with someone who reminded me of my past... it was terrifying.”

Smiling against her teeth, I whispered, “Then I have good news for you, sugar.” I bit the corner of her mouth gently. Her moan was rejuvenating. “I'm the last guy you'll ever be terrified of falling in love with.”

There was no exaggeration in my claim.

No matter what I had to do, I would ensure that this wonderful woman who had come tumbling into my life would remain mine.

My life had been so different before her. But it hadn't been better.

Not even when compared to falling over, bleeding on the cement to save her...

It hadn't been better.

Once, I'd only been good at two things; fighting, and fucking. I'd always done them for myself. It was all I had, and it kept me going. It gave me a purpose in this wicked world.

But no longer.

I didn't have to fight to prove myself... and I didn't need to seek out multiple women to feel whole. To feel wanted.

With Zoe in my arms, my lips on her skin and my brain fogging with her existence...

Life held infinite possibilities.

Together, we would experience all of them.

- Epilogue -

Zoe

Dragging the heavy piece of furniture into place, I huffed with exertion. The desk looked almost silly in the corner of the nearly empty apartment, but it still made me smile.

“Did you move that alone?”

Turning, I nodded at Huck as he carried a box into the room. In dark jeans and a long sleeved, fitted green shirt, he did a disservice by hiding most of his tattoos. Gram hadn't called him Reese in some time, but he was still wary about it. Hiding his ink was a safety net of his own choosing, so I let it be.

Later, I'd make sure to tear that damn thing off and expose his art and muscles to my private eyes.

Adjusting the chair into place, I reached for him when he came to my side. “I think she'll like it,” he said.

“I hope so. I really do.” Sighing, I cracked my back. “Now that she's writing again, I think her mind is getting clearer. It's amazing.”

Sitting in the chair, he pulled me into his lap, kissing my elbow. “Telling her about Reese must have knocked something loose.”

Yes. Reese. Thinking about him still twisted my stomach. I'd forgotten Nehro much easier. It was Reese that had managed to cause a snowball of wreckage.

That day, as I sat and held Gram's hand, revealing the truth of the accident, recognition had glowed in her wide eyes. It would take lots more work, but that had been the missing piece. With it, we had a hope of solving the puzzle.

Just days after telling her the news, the facility decided she was well enough to come stay with me, if I was willing. I was beyond willing; I was ecstatic.

Luckily, since I'd predicted I'd need to keep her in that expensive building for years... I had some leftovers from my loan. The money that had hung so heavy over me, it remained useful.

The new apartment was perfect, big enough for us both.