Custom Built (Fast & Fury #1) - Chantal Fernando Page 0,63

We can worry about everything else later. Right now, I just need you safe. Do you understand me?”

“I do.”

And he’s right, there’s no point putting all of this off.

But it hurts.

I was so close to getting what I’ve always wanted, and with a man I love more than anything.

I know it’s not just me in this relationship, though.

“Would you want a baby with me?” I blurt out, realizing I’ve never even asked him how he’s feeling right now.

“Of course I would,” he replies, brow furrowing. “There’s no one I’d rather have as the mother of my child, and I know that’s what you’ve always wanted. But my number one priority is you, Bronte. Without you, my whole world is gone. Later, we can worry about babies. We have a lot of time to figure out what is right for us. What’s meant to be will be. Right now, though, I just need my woman safe.”

I wrap my arms around him and cry into his neck. I know his words make perfect sense, but they don’t make it hurt any less. I’m giving up something important to me.

But he’s right, I need to be here, and I need to follow the medical advice given to me.

“I’ll speak to the doctor,” I say after I’ve stopped crying.

“Good,” he whispers, sounding relieved.

“And Crow, thank you for always having my back,” I say. “I never understood the term ride or die until right now. And I never knew that anyone other than my family, people who are blood related to me, would ever be there for me on this level, and that I could trust someone entirely like I trust you.”

His eyes fill with love. “I’m crazy about you. Of course I’m going to do anything to look after you and make sure you’re going to be here, right by my side.”

I drink half the glass of wine. “I have to admit, I didn’t see this one coming. It’s hard to mourn something that was such a surprise, but here I am.”

And it hurts so damn much, I don’t even know how I’m functioning right now.

“It would have been the best surprise, but it wasn’t meant to be. That doesn’t mean we won’t get our time, our happily ever after with a family,” he says, kissing me and then leaving me to get dressed. My life has never had so much going on in it before, not even when I was Nadia’s assistant, and I don’t know how I keep getting myself into trouble.

It’s like just when you think something is over, something else pops up. My dad would have said that anything that happens, anything that scares you, is character building.

The problem is, I don’t know who I’m going to turn into if my life keeps going like this. I don’t want to lose who I am, but I’m going to need to adapt, become harder and stronger.

Crow is like a superhero, and I’m not even at sidekick level yet.

“Crow!” I call out.

“Yeah?” he replies, sticking his head into my bedroom. “More wine?”

I smile. “I’d love some more wine, but that’s not why I called you. I was wondering, could you teach me how to shoot a gun?”

He studies me for a few seconds, mind working, before he replies, “Yeah, I can teach you how to shoot a gun.”

“And some self-defense?” I press.

He nods. “Of course. Anything else?”

“Yeah,” I reply. “Can you come and keep me warm?”

He smiles and steps into the room fully, pulling off his T-shirt and showing off that beautiful body of his. I watch as he slinks around the room, removing his shoes and putting them in the corner with his clothes, until he’s naked and slides into the bed next to me, kissing my cheek.

He just holds me all night, and it’s just what I need.

* * *

“I’m so sorry he got to you before we got to him,” Neville says, reaching over and touching my arm. I didn’t tell him about the miscarriage, because he feels guilty enough, and I know how that feels.

I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

Apparently Uncle Neville had planned on storming into Jasper’s house the next morning and taking him down.

The next morning.

That’s how unlucky I am.

There was a holdup because Jasper had left town and no one could locate him for a few days there. He had only returned the same day he came after me at the garage.

I think we underestimated him.

“It’s not your fault,” I say. “And he’s behind bars