Page 144 of Lawless

“I had it under control,” I mutter as she opens the bottle and passes it over. “Thanks.”

Tipping it up, I swallow down mouthful after mouthful of fresh water until I’ve drained the bottle.

“More?” Alana asks, glancing over at Reid and JD, who are hovering awkwardly just inside the door.

“No, it’s okay.”

Sitting on her haunches before me, she rests her hands on my thighs and stares up at me with her big blue eyes that always suck me in.

“Tell me what you need, Mav. It’s yours.”

A smile pulls at my lips.

My back pulls as I reach for her, but I can’t not touch her.

Brushing my thumb over her cheek, I revel in its softness, the warmth as her eyes soften.

“I thought it was over,” I confess.

She shakes her head. “Never. We’ve got so much more to give, to experience. This is only the beginning.”

“Fuck,” I breathe, hardly able to believe how fucking incredible my wife is. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

She smiles at me. “I’m fine, Mav. Just a few bruises. Nothing I can’t handle.”

I swallow, hating that she has to handle anything.

“Thought you needed a piss, man?” JD asks, stepping forward.

“Y-yeah. Any chance of a shower while I’m in there?”

“Nope,” Reid said. There’s a smugness in his voice that reminds me of why I used to hate him.

Used to… Yeah, something tells me that those days are long gone.

They could have left me wherever it was they found us. They wanted Alana. She’s the one who holds the secrets, the one they want to protect.

But they didn’t.

Somehow, they got me out of there, brought me somewhere safe, and got me medical attention.

I tense the second realization hits me. Something that Alana doesn’t miss.

“What? What’s wrong?”

I close my eyes for a beat, disbelief washing through me.

Pushing my hands against the mattress, I get to my feet, somewhat awkwardly.

“Oh shit. You trying to get the medic back early or something,” JD barks, rushing over to my side to help hold me up.

Shuffling forward, Alana takes my other side as I turn to face Reid.

I look at him differently to all the times I have before.

Everything is different.

Sucking in a breath, I hold my hand out for him.