Page 106 of Moros

“Maybe you’re right.”

Silence.

I took his hand closest to mine and laced his fingers with mine.

“I’ll be right here with you,” I said.

“Even if you see a side of me that shows you just what’s inside me?”

“I didn’t stutter, Moros.” I grunted. “I trust you will do the right thing when or if that time comes. I understand now—I get what being a good woman to you means—what being your woman means.”

“I didn’t know you were thinking of being my woman.”

I blushed but ignored that comment.

“It means I don’t have the luxury of being too soft-hearted.” I explained. “It means I have to look at the world a little bit differently. It means I have to be willing to do some things to protect you because it won’t work if you’re always protecting me. You need a woman strong enough to not only stand by your side, but at your back.”

“Shorty, I don’t want you giving things up for me.”

“I’m not giving up anything.” I told him, watching two cards drawing closer and closer. “I’m going to fight for you, Khadri, even if I have to fight with you.”

When he said nothing, I looked up to see he was looking down at me, his dark eyes filled with a storm that was very new to me. I’d seen many things in that gaze—passion, rage, the mischief of a little boy.

But this was new.

Whatever it was, it sparked something in the very depths of me, something far more complicated than anything skin deep.

I wanted that again—I needed that.

“This feels weird.” He told me.

“What does?”

“Having a lover fight for me.” He admitted, his voice wavering to the point of cracking. “No other woman has ever cared enough to try—cared enough to want to. No other woman has ever considered me worthy.”

Lifting the back of his hand to my lips, I brushed my lips tenderly against the flesh then placed a lingering kiss along the path my lips had traced.

“You’re worth it, Khadri. It took me a little time to figure it out. But—yeah, you’re more than worth it. And I’m going to prove it to you.”

“Moros?” Tex called. “I need you to focus. You incoming.”

“I see them.” Khadri replied. “Do you have eyes on Boss?”

“Yeah—he’s hanging back, just in case you need backup.”

“Roger.”

Khadri pulled a gun from his back holster and placed it in my hand. It was kind of ridiculous how heavy the thing was, but I needed to steel my spine for this.

“Do you remember how to use this?” He asked.

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

I answered him with a kiss then held the weapon at my side, pointing down.

“Shorty—”