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  After being questioned for hours by the local authorities, we were finally free to go. The sheriff told us to be available when necessary and not leave the state until we’d been cleared of any wrongdoing. Since James and I were ex–law enforcement and Flash was still with the FBI, we were given more leeway than many would have been given in a situation such as that. Her mother was taken into custody and would be prosecuted for extortion and kidnapping. I’d rather her be dead, but I couldn’t kill Angel’s only living relative.

  I sat in the back of the SUV on the way home. James drove, Pop rode shotgun, and Mike, Joe, and Anthony sat in the middle row, smashed together to give me privacy in the back with Angel.

  The paramedics said that she was in good shape—slightly dehydrated with a couple of bumps and bruises but otherwise healthy. She might have been physically okay, but I knew it would take a while before she mentally felt at peace. I’d do everything in my power to bring the brightness back to her eyes.

  The guys talked during the drive, retelling what had happened when Flash had burst through the door. Keeping my eyes focused on Angel as she fell asleep against my chest, tucked in my arms, I listened to their laughter, soaked in the love that filled the SUV, and sucked it all in, putting it away for a time when the darkness would start to take hold. I’d remember the love I felt for my family, the sense of belonging I had, to push off the sadness and stay grounded in the truth. I was loved. No matter my sins of the past, my family and Angel would always be my future. Forgiveness wasn’t something I needed to seek from them; it was granted without hesitation.

  I was the luckiest man in the world. I had everything I ever wanted—love, family, and a purpose. The greatest purpose I had now was lying in my arms, and I’d make her forget the past and revel in the future.

  As we drove down my street, I could see the distant figures of the Gallo women. They formed a semicircle as they stood in my front yard, waiting for us to arrive. Those women were our other half, the thing that made us what we were—an amazing family that was stronger and more loving than most.

  “Angel, wake up. We’re home,” I whispered in her ear, stroking her cheek.

  Her eyes, still red from crying, fluttered open before a small smile crept across her lips. “Hey,” she whispered.

  “Looks like we have company, boys,” Pop called out, pointing through the windshield to the Gallo women.

  “Yep. This might get hairier than the gun battle back there,” Anthony replied, laughing as he flipped through his phone.

  “Not a chance. They’re going to be happy to see us,” Joe said, reaching for the door handle before the car even stopped moving.

  After hopping out and leaving the door ajar, he ran to Suzy and collected her in his arms. Her feet dangled from the ground as he hugged her.

  “Barf,” Anthony blurted, watching intently out the window.

  Mike nudged him with his shoulder. “Shut the fuck up, dude. I know all about your piece of ass. You’re just pissed she isn’t here.”

  Anthony shrugged before I heard him sigh. “Fuck off, bro.”

  One by one, they piled out of the car, going to the loves of their lives and repeating the actions Joe had done with Suzy. Anthony looked like the odd fish. No one hugged him first, kissed his face, or gushed over him for returning safely. When my father released my mother, she was the one to wrap Anthony in her arms and kiss his cheeks. Someday, he’d have his—sooner rather than later, if my gut was right.

  “Can you walk or do you want me to carry you?” I asked Angel, looking down at her as she started to sit up in my lap.

  “I can walk, Thomas.” She pushed off my lap and climbed out of the car while holding on to steady herself. Then she covered her eyes, the sunshine blinding today, and waited for me to stand behind her.

  Ma was the first person to break rank and head straight for Angel. As she approached, she gave me a quick nod and a smile before holding out her arms.

  “Baby girl, I’m so happy you’re safe,” Ma said, staring at me as she hugged Angel.

  Angel broke down into tears, melting into my ma’s comforting arms, and rested her head against her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Gallo,” Angel cried, her body shaking as she spoke.

  Ma rubbed her back. “There’s nothing to be sorry about, Angel. Everyone is safe and you’re back.” Ma was trying to keep it together and pretend like it was no big deal, but I knew her better than that. “I’ve been through crazier shit with this family.”

  Next to me, James was holding Izzy, kissing her deeply—probably a little too deeply in front of the family. Either my parents didn’t mind or they were pretending they didn’t see. Fortunately, Izzy broke the kiss, holding his face in her hands.

  “I love you, James. I’ve never been so worried about someone before. I didn’t fucking like it. Don’t do that type of shit anymore. I couldn’t take it.”

  “I’m fine, babe. Don’t ever worry about me. I love you too, Iz.”

  “All I do is worry about you and your macho ‘I have something to prove’ bullshit. You are not indestructible. Remember that, please, next time you go off trying to pretend you’re Jason Statham.”

  “I’ll take that. He’s pretty badass, babe.” James laughed, earning him a small slap to the cheek. “Watch it. I may just show you how badass I really am, love. Don’t start something you can’t finish.” He smiled, winking at her as a giant smile slid across her face.

  Jesus, they made me ill.

  Love changes a person. It doesn’t make us inferior, but it lets us be the person we were truly meant to be. It completes us, brings out our true nature, and helps us become a better version of ourselves.

  Looking around James, Izzy locked eyes with me. “Tommy!” she screeched, moving quickly and jumping in my arms.

  “Hey, baby girl. It’s good to see you,” I whispered, squeezing her tightly.

  “You too. Don’t do this shit again either,” she mumbled into my shoulder before she sighed.

  Ma released Angel as Mia and Suzy each took turns hugging her and welcoming her home. All the girls were in tears. It was like a watching a Lifetime movie playing out before my eyes. Tears, smiles, laughter, and—most of all—love.

  “Who’s up for a cup of coffee?” Ma asked, wiping the tears from her cheek. “If that’s okay with Tommy and Angel.”

  “It’s fine, Mrs. Gallo. I need a shower, though. I can’t imagine how I smell.” Angel winced, sniffing her shirt. “Yeah, shower first.”

  “You shower, baby girl, and I’ll make you something to eat too.”

  Angel nodded, a giant smile on her face as Ma wrapped one arm around her shoulder and walked with her to the house.

  “I’m proud of you, brother,” Izzy said before we followed the crowd inside.

  “For what?”

  “You’re a good man. She was broken. I’ve known enough broken girls in my time, but you saved her.”

  “I couldn’t leave her in the hands of the kidnappers, Izzy.”

  She shook her head, gripping my side tighter as we walked. “Not what I meant, Tommy.”

  I felt my face heat as color rushed to my cheeks. “I love her. Nothing else matters.”

  “I always knew you were a big softie like the others.” She smiled up at me, reminding me of when she was a little girl.

  She always looked at me like I was a superhero. She’d had me wrapped around her little finger since the day she was born. I would’ve walked through fire if she’d asked me, and I’d do anything to protect her. Knowing that she was with James, someone so much like myself, I felt that I could finally let go of my overprotectiveness of her. James would willingly give his life to save hers.

  I had someone new to protect, a woman who needed to feel part of something bigger. Belonging is important to everyone, and she’d lacked that her entire life. I’d spend eternity trying to bring her joy and making her never regret her decision to come with me.

  It was my sole mission to make her feel loved.
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br />   Chapter 22

  For a week, Thomas treated me like I was ready to break. He tried to do everything for me. It was sweet, but there’s a point when enough is enough.

  “Thomas,” I said, watching him hover as he straightened up the living room. “Come here and sit with me.” I patted the cushion next to me.

  “I was about to start dinner,” he stalked in my direction before collapsing on the couch.

  I turned to face him, pulling one leg under my body. “Dinner can wait. We need to talk.”

  “What’s wrong?” He repeated my motion, tucking his leg under his body.

  “Nothing, baby. I’m perfect. Maybe better than perfect, actually. I need you to stop treating me like I’m fragile. I’m not.”

  He placed his hands over mine, stroking the top with his thumb. “You went through something very traumatic, Angel.”

  “I know, but I survived. I want to stop living in the past and start our future. I can’t sit in this house any longer and watch you clean. It’s not who you are. I’m not a sitter either. There’s only so much television and reading I can do before I start to go a little crazy.” I gave him a small smile, hoping I hadn’t hurt his feelings. I just wanted us to go back to normal—whatever the hell that was for us.

  “You should’ve said something sooner. I didn’t want to push you and didn’t feel right doing it until you said something.” He smiled back, his cheeks turning pink as he spoke.

  “I didn’t want to make you feel bad, baby. Every day, I would pray you’d touch me like you used to and that we’d move forward.”

  “I just wanted to give you time,” he said, holding the side of my face in his hand, sweeping his thumb across my cheekbone.

  “It’s been long enough. You and James need to work on your business, I need to find a job, and you need to make me feel like your woman again.” I tilted my head, melting into his touch, and closed my eyes. “I’ve missed the feel of you against my skin.”

  Cupping my face in both of his hands, he pressed his mouth against mine. “Like this?” he whispered, hovering over my lips.

  “Yes,” I moaned, feeling the hairs on my arms standing up as he spoke.

  “And this?” He kissed down my jaw and licked my neck, biting gently near my collarbone.

  “Just like that,” I pleaded, pushing my body forward.

  I had very little on, having selected a black babydoll nighty when I’d dressed this morning. The soft silk against my skin, especially my nipples, as I walked around the house had about driven me over the edge.

  He slid his hands down my shoulders, the heat of his palms scorching my cool skin before they settled on my forearms. He backed away and looked at me. His eyes were hungry, the need and burning he felt for me evident in his stare.

  “I want you so damn badly. I could barely control myself any longer.”

  “I love when you lose control, Thomas. Show me how badly you want me.” Jutting my chest out, I offered him my body, wanting to feel him inside me for the first time in too long.

  A small growl escaped from deep in his throat as he pushed me down into the cushions, moving his body on top of mine. Capturing my mouth in a commanding kiss, he gripped my waist, digging his rock-hard cock against my aching core.

  His jeans did nothing to hide his want as I pushed against him, trying to create friction. Every time his hand moved, my body would break out into goose bumps, leaving a wake in his path. My nipples hardened, throbbing to be touched, as his hands moved farther up my sides.

  My tongue captured his, dancing together, as our hands touched each other everywhere.

  “Thomas,” I moaned.

  “Mmm.” He slid his thumb against my nipple, sending a jolt of electricity through my system.

  As he rubbed back and forth, I felt breathless and kissed him back, letting him caress my breast. His rough fingers plucked at my hardened nipple, pulling on it through the soft material. I arched my back, melting into his touch. I wanted more.

  When his lips left mine, my breathing was heavy and uneven. After kissing a path down my neck, he stopped over my pulse, running his tongue over the spot. Then he ground his dick against me while he teased my breast.

  Tipping my head back, I offered my neck and chest to him, spreading my legs farther to give him better access. As he sucked my breast into his mouth through the silk, his hand moved to my core and dampness pooled between my legs.

  He groaned as he slid his fingers across my pussy. I was soaked, the need I felt for him overwhelming after not having been touched sexually in so long. As his fingers swirled around my entrance, I closed my eyes, pushing my head into the cushion.

  One finger entered me, stroking me deeply as he rubbed my clit with his thumb, tenderly circling around it. I needed to hold something, ground myself in the moment, so I clutched the cushions in my hand.

  His hot breath mixing with the tug of his teeth sent shivers straight to my core. My pussy gripped his fingers, pulling him deeper and wanting more. When a second finger stretched me, a dull and luscious ache took over, and he pushed them deeper.

  “Oh God,” I moaned, my eyes rolling back in my head.

  “So fuckin’ good,” he growled against my breast, causing vibrations through my skin.

  “I want you, Thomas,” I said, moving my bottom to drive his fingers in deeper.

  He didn’t respond with words, instead moving his mouth to my other breast and curling his fingers inside me. Adjusting his body, he moved to the side, increasing the thrust as he kept his fingers turned up, working my insides. Feeling the pressure building, I shuddered in his arms.

  “You like this, don’t you?” he asked with my nipple between his teeth.

  “I want more,” I whined, riding his hand as his fingers hooked inside me and stilled. “Thomas,” I said, pushing against his palm.

  He chuckled, rubbing his hand against my clit as he kept his fingers buried inside. Whimpering, I tried to get him move his fingers, but his body vibrated from laughter. He bit down harder on my nipple, shocking my system as I clenched around him. His fingers moved, thrusting inside at fevered pace. Letting my leg fall off the couch, I opened to him fully, offering everything I had to give.

  Digging my toes into the carpet, I lifted my bottom, thrusting myself against his hand. As I felt him stroke my G-spot, I gulped for air. My nipple was trapped, as my body shook in his arms. The orgasm to end all orgasms was building inside me. Before I could brace myself, it broke loose, tearing through my system and stunning me.

  Frozen in place, I screamed. My body grew rigid against his. I sucked in air, trying to pull it into my lungs. Riding his hand, I bucked against his palm. His fingers slowed, stroking me deeper as I experienced the last shock waves in my system. Shivering in his arms, I saw stars as I sucked in a ragged breath.

  My eyes drifted open, taking a moment to focus before I locked eyes with Tommy. He looked proud.

  “That was so damn sexy,” he said softly, his fingers buried deep inside me.

  “Yeah,” I replied, still unable to form thoughts. My body was coming down from the unbelievable orgasm that had almost decimated me.

  “I’m not done with you yet.” He smiled, pushing his weight off me as he sat up.

  When he held his hand out, I slid my palm against his. Still struggling to catch my breath, as he helped me sit up. He pressed his mouth to mine as I breathed him in, using his air as a means of survival. He nibbled on my lips, drawing them into his mouth. I grabbed his shoulders, digging my nails into his flesh before running them down his back. Pulling me closer as I crawled into his lap, he smashed his chest against mine. Holding my ass roughly in his hands sent tingles up my spine. I loved when he possessed me, making me feel owned. He released my mouth and grabbed me by the hips, draping my body over the back of the couch.

  “Thomas!” I squeaked, wanting to face him when he entered me.

  “Shhh, Angel,” he whispered, putting his mouth next to my ear, his hot breath cascading acros
s my skin.

  The couch dipped and bounced back before the sound of his zipper echoed through the living room. Looking over my shoulder, I watched as he removed his jeans and tossed them to the floor. His body was rock hard, his penis red and solid. He flexed his muscles, giving me a show. My face heated. My cheeks growing more flushed than they already were when he climbed back on the couch. Squeezing my eyes shut, I held my breath as he rubbed the head of his dick against my opening.

  “You’re so wet,” he hissed, stroking the tip through my folds as he captured my wetness.

  When he pushed down on my back with one hand, I melted into the couch, relaxing my body against the pillows. My breasts stuck out over the top, my ass was in the air. I felt exposed and ready.

  Then he pushed his cock inside, filling me to the point of pain. I let my head fall forward and took what he wanted to give. As my body fused with his, he gripped my shoulder and hip, holding me in place as he pounded into me. Crying out, the pleasure heightened from my orgasm. I bit my lip to control the scream I felt bubbling from within.

  I needed this. I wanted him. A week without him touching me as if he needed me to survive had left me feeling empty inside. With that feeling erased, I let myself get lost in the feel of him inside me. While he surrounded me with his touch, I pushed against him, tipping my head back and keeping my eyes open.

  With one hand still on my hip, he dug his fingers into my hair and fisted the strands. Pulling my head back farther, I felt captured. My ass bounced off him while he jammed his dick inside me. I didn’t get a moment’s reprieve. Held to his body by my mane, I felt the tug each time he thrust my body against him to drive himself deeper. His hand gripped my hip more roughly, and he dug his fingernails into my flesh. The slight bite of pain kept my attention. My scalp ached, my pussy throbbed, and my body responded to the battering he was giving me. This is what I had been looking forward to since my rescue. He was touching me the way he used to.

  I cried out, feeling another orgasm building inside me. Wanting to close my legs, I started to inch them together. Before I did, he stopped them. Releasing my hair, he brought his hand down hard on my ass.

  “Hold still,” he growled, running his palm against the spot he’d just smacked.

  Then his hand left my hip for a moment, pushing between my shoulder blades. Forcing my upper body farther over the couch and my ass higher in the air. His cock slipped out before the couch moved under my feet. Tapping at my heels made me inch my feet farther apart until I couldn’t open them anymore. Using my hands to keep my balance, I placed my feet flat on the floor.

  His fingers raked through my wetness before rubbing against my asshole. Sucking in a breath, I felt the rough texture of his thumb against my opening. When he slammed his rock-hard shaft into me, his thumb slipped inside, sending a shock through my system.

  “Oh!” I yelped, the quickness of his action catching me off guard.

  “Jesus, I missed being inside you,” he bit out, hooking his thumb fully inside me.

  “Fuck me, Thomas!” I cried out, the orgasm simmering under the surface.

  “You’re mine, Angel. Only mine,” he said, driving deeper inside me with increasing force, battering my pussy.

  With his thumb buried in my ass, I felt fuller than I had ever before. Maybe it was the week of his having been near but not touching me in a sexual way.

  “Only yours,” I whispered, my face tingling with the blood pooling in my head.

  While my body was tipped forward, I had the sensation of being choked without his fingers wrapped around my neck. It heightened my sensitivity as my vision began to blur.

  My body lurched forward with each pound against my ass. His body began to shake, his breath ragged against my back, as his thrusts became erratic. Calling out my name, he squeezed my hip as he gave me three last thrusts before I fell over the edge with him. My pussy milked his cock, taking everything he had to give. My arms felt weak, quivering as I tried to hold up my weight and not tumble off the back of the couch.

  As his body collapsed against mine, he wrapped his arms around my waist, stopping me from falling. Then he pressed his cheek against my spine, drawing in heavy breaths as his heartbeat reverberated through my back.

  Adjusting himself on the couch, he pulled me into his lap, resting his chin on my shoulder. My back rested against his front, our hearts beating in rhythm as if speaking to one another.

  “I love you, Angel,” he whispered, drawing in a shaky breath and splaying his hands across my stomach.

  “Love you too, Thomas.” I smiled, looking over my shoulder at him.

  “Give me a minute. I don’t think I can walk yet,” he said, his body twitching as an aftershock shot through him.

  I giggled, tipping my head back and resting it against his face. “My entire body feels like jelly. I’m perfect right where I am.” Then I snuggled against him, wiggling my ass in his lap.

  “Stop that or you’re going to make me hard again,” he said, sinking his teeth into my shoulder.

  Warm in his arms, spent from the two orgasms, I melted into him and drifted