“I expect you to take it easy.”

I huff. “Don’t get all alpha male on me now.”

His pushes his legs over the side of the bed, grips my arms, and carefully pulls me close. “I’ve always been the alpha male. I let you believe you had some say. Now that you’re having my baby, you’re going to stop this shit.”

The temptation to rip my arms away is great, but I can’t reopen my stitches. “Let. Me. Go.” I enunciate each word. “Now.”

He releases me, and I turn my back to him. I need to calm myself. He’s still processing everything, just like I am.

Mark makes a sound that stops my heart. I whirl as he tries to stand. Agony is splayed across his face. I rush to his side, slide my shoulder beneath his, and take some of his weight. “I can do this,” he grits out from between clenched teeth. “I made it through that hell. I can walk.”

I want to slap him. “Don’t be stubborn. Lean on me. We have to lean on each other.” My words mean so much more now.

Mark nods, and I help him lift up and balance. His legs are shaky, but for the most part, he holds himself steady. He’s stronger than any man I’ve ever met.

I step in front of him, and his hand lifts to my cheek. “I love you, and I’m sorry.”

“It’s a lot.”

“We’ll find our way.” His words reassure me that he’s in it.

Not that I’m sure why I doubted him. Mark has proven more than anyone else just how much I mean to him.

“Charlie . . .” His voice is thick with emotion. “I need to kiss you, and I’m going to. I don’t care how much it hurts. I don’t care if my lip busts open. I’m going to kiss you because you’re worth the pain. I’m going to kiss you because you’re having our baby. And I’m going to kiss you because it’s all I can do.”

I smile, step closer so he can wrap his arm around me, and rest my hand gently on his chest. “I’m going to let you kiss me because it’s been too long. I’m going to kiss you back because you’re alive, and then you’re going to get back in bed so you can heal.”

“Bossy.”

“You ain’t seen the half of it.”

He smirks. “I like bossy, and as soon as I’m better, I’m going to fuck you until we can’t see straight. Now, kiss me.”

“Romantic. Now who’s the bossy one?”

“Shut up, Charlie. Kiss me.” His head dips lower. I rise on my toes to shorten the distance.

When our lips touch, my world centers. Everything feels—right. We’re okay. I have him, and he has me. Together we have this new life. Something we did out of love, even if we didn’t realize it. Even though I never wanted this, it’s everything to me. His hands leave my face as he breaks the kiss. Mark shifts back slightly and presses his hand on my stomach.

“Just us.”

My fingers touch the side of his face. “Next time someone says to leave somewhere, you should listen.”

“Not if I think you are in danger. I will never leave you behind, Charlie. I’ll bash through walls, take beatings, and give my life for you. That’s love. That’s how much you mean to me. Don’t you get it? Without you in my life . . . it’s worthless. You though,” he pauses. “You’re everything to me.”

Tears pool in my eyes, “I love you, Marcus.”

“My name isn’t Marcus.”

“Yeah, well, I owe you for the horrific names you came up with.”

He laughs, kisses the top of my head, and slowly makes his way to the bathroom. Of course, he grumbles when he notices I’m behind him. But this is how it’s going to go. I’ll be here to catch him, just like he will be for me.

“So what’s the plan?” Mark asks after his nap. He’s eating a little, and thankfully, he seems to be doing okay. It’s been eighty-six hours since I’ve heard from Mandi. I can only take that as a good sign. If things were bad, she’d have called . . . at least I tell myself that.

My old self wants to tell him nothing, but that isn’t how we operate now. Mark is my partner, and he deserves to know everything. Even if it’s bitter to admit, I need him.

“What do you remember about your time with them?”

Mark steels himself with a deep breath. “I remember every detail. He said something about a son . . .”

“We’re on that. We heard him.”

“Who’s we?”

“Mandi, Dominic, Jackson, Aaron and myself. That’s everyone I trust right now.”

Mark’s eyes narrow. “I don’t trust her.”

“I know you don’t, but she grabbed me off the train. She knew I was being tailed, so she took care of them and secured me. If it weren’t for her, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to hide.” Mandi incapacitated two people and mixed up communications in the area so I could get to my safe house. She uncovered where Mark was, as well. Her loyalty is not to be questioned. I would’ve never made it to him without her.

“Okay, if you say so.” He sits back against the couch. He looks much better today. The swelling has gone down significantly, and it’s clear his eye won’t have any permanent damage. He is eating a very restricted diet, walking a little sturdier, and has been able to wean off the painkillers a little. Both of us are able to take a deep sigh of relief.

“Just for now, don’t worry about what’s going on. Once we have something concrete, we’ll talk.”

“Damn right we will.”

We settle in together and watch the news. There are always clues that the public misses. I await the story of the CIA Director stepping down. That will be when I relax. For now, I tuck my legs under me and curl up against Mark. He flinches but holds me so I can’t move. I just want to be close to him.

“Charlie.” Mark’s voice has an edge to it.

I glance over at him. “Yeah?”

“I’m serious about marrying you.”

“If that’s a proposal, you suck.”

“I’m giving you some time to get over whatever crap excuses you’re forming. I’m telling you it’s going to happen. I’m going to ask you, you’re going to say yes, and we’re going have a wedding.”

I shake my head and turn my attention back to the television. “When will you learn that demanding me to do something doesn’t work? Also, I’m not even sure I like you enough.”

“You love me.”

I sit with my arms crossed over my chest. “I’m not denying that. I said like you. You’re a pain in the ass, you’re messy, you boss me around, you argue with everything I say—”

“And you’re just as argumentative and frustrating, but it’s going to happen. You’ll get over all that crap you mentioned.”

“So you say.”

“Come here.” He opens his arms wide. I scoot over and he pulls me against his side. “I’m done with games, babe. I’m not going to live the rest of my life without you here by my side. Our lives aren’t a guarantee. So I’m going to marry you and impregnate you many more times. Also, we don’t have to pay a minister.”