I glide my fingers down his back, memorizing every single part of him to keep inside me for the rest of my life. I love this man. I need him. I want him and I never plan on letting him go. As he moves inside me, our bodies join in a way they never have before. Not only is he making love to me, he’s letting me in, and because of that, I love him so much more.

“Baby,” he murmurs. “So good.”

“Yes,” I whimper. “Keep going.”

He moves faster, yet he still manages to keep it sweet and careful. His fingers run up my arms until my hands are above my head. He entwines our fingers and holds tightly as pleasure builds inside us both. Whimpering his name, I come with a soft cry against his neck. He makes a ragged, almost broken sound, and then he’s coming inside me with the same force that I just had.

He drops his forehead to mine when we come down from our high and his lips graze across mine. He pulls out without a word and goes into the bathroom, returning a moment later with a washcloth. He cleans us both up and then we slide into bed. I’m lying in his arms, my cheek pressed to his chest. I can hear his heart pounding; I can feel it against my skin.

“He’s going to be okay,” I say softly.

“Yeah,” he rasps. “I know.”

“I’m so sorry, Blade. For everything.”

He squeezes me tighter. “You tried to save my brother. You have nothing to be sorry about.”

I swallow and close my eyes. “Thank you . . . for being here with me.”

He turns to his side and presses his lips to my forehead. “I’d never be anywhere else.”

And I thank every one of my lucky stars for that.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

We get the call at midnight the following evening. Ripley is awake. Both Blade and I hurry to the hospital, frantic to see for ourselves that he’s okay. When we get inside, we both run down the halls. Jack is just coming out of Ripley’s room with a smile on his face, a real, genuine happy smile. He looks to Blade and I, and nods softly. “He’s been waiting for you, Aria.”

We both skid to a stop and squeeze Jack’s shoulder as we step into Ripley’s room. He’s lying on the bed, propped up. There’s a cup with a straw poking out in his hand, and he’s got a bandage around his head. His arm is in a cast, and his face is black and blue. I hardly recognize him. Just seeing him like this makes me remember him on the floor, bleeding, and I hiccup loudly.

Ripley turns and when he sees me, his face breaks. “Come here.”

Blade doesn’t stop me as I walk over. I stop at his bed and tears are tumbling in what feels like bucket loads down my cheeks. Ripley reaches over for my hand and squeezes it gently. His eyes are puffy, so puffy I can hardly see them. His lips are split, his cheeks are bruised, and he looks awful.

“You fought for me,” he whispers.

“You fought for me,” I say with a sob.

“Don’t cry for me, just get down here and let me hold onto you, Aria. I need to do that.”

Oh God.

I lean down and he puts the cup on the table and wraps his good arm around me. He holds onto me like that long enough for my legs to ache with the strain. When he lets me go, I don’t go far. I keep my face down near his. “You scared me,” I say in a soft, broken voice. “I thought I’d never be able to tell you how sorry I am.”

“No,” he says. “Don’t say sorry. You fought like a bat out of hell for me. I owe you everything.”

I cup his cheek. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

He smiles—well, it looks like he smiles. “And I’m glad you brought me out of the closet.”

I laugh softly. “Someone had to do the hard work.”

His eyes grow serious. “Thank you, Aria. I know you never wanted us in your family but having you . . . you’re the best friend I’ve ever had, and I’m so damned happy I get to see you for the rest of my life.”

I choke out my reply. “I’m a pain in the ass because I was wrong. I could have never imagined how much you would all come to mean to me. Especially you. I’m glad I get to annoy you for the rest of your life.”

He laughs brokenly. “Better move out of the way. My brother looks like he’s going to pop a valve.”

I kiss his cheek and step back. Blade walks over and curls his hand around Ripley’s neck, pulling him close so their foreheads are touching. “You stupid little fucker,” he grumbles, and I smile. “Firstly, for takin’ a swing when you were outnumbered and secondly, secondly little dude, for thinkin’ even for a fuckin’ second that you could do anything that would change how much I fuckin’ love you.”

My heart clenches and I swallow back my tears. Ripley doesn’t; one trickles down his cheek. Blade’s hand tightens around his neck and he keeps going. “Don’t care what you are. Don’t care who you love. Don’t care what makes you different. You’re my brother, and there ain’t nothin’ in this world that could change that. Don’t you ever, fuckin’ ever, Ripley, scare me like that again. I thought for a moment there I would never get to tell you any of this, and that ain’t a feeling I ever wanna have again. You and me, boy, we’re going to get a few fighting lessons in and next time, you’re not gonna swing when you’re outnumbered.”

Ripley jerks with emotion but Blade continues, “Even if you were standin’ up for my girl.”

My heart melts.