There’s a long run of silence, and I study him.
“Something’s wrong,” I say, and he turns. “What is it?”
“My nomad days are over.” He gets a far-off look in his eyes. “I guess sometimes we have to let go of the past to make room for the future, huh?”
“What about Texas?” I ask, feeling like my entire future hinges on his reply.
He shakes his head. “I’d hate Texas. I think we both would.”
“Are you sure? It’s a big opportunity for you.”
He answers my question with one of his own. “What is it you want in life, Six?”
I think carefully on my answer. “You, mornings like this waking up with you,” I shrug. “Maybe a baby or two.”
He grins. “Sweetheart, I’ll give you as many of those as you want. But is that enough? Will I be enough?”
“Yes. You, a warm fire, our future together… What could be better?”
He presses his forehead to mine. “I hope it’s enough. I want to be enough for you.”
“You are.” I lift my head that last inch to meet his mouth, swaying into him. He’s solid and strong, and the scent of him soothes me. “Say the words you said to me last night,” I whisper.
“I love you, Maggie,” he murmurs into the hair at my temple.
I close my eyes and listen to his heartbeat, soaking this moment in and wondering how I could ever be happier than I am right now.
But there’s something more I need. How do I ask him to do one more thing for me when he’s already done so much?
I pull back and search his eyes with a worried frown.
“What is it?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I want to ask you something, but it’s big.”
“Ask.”
“My brothers.”
His eyes slide closed. “I know. I hate that they’re putting you through this.”
I nod because he’s right, but I’m frantic for him to understand. My eyes fill with tears. “Please don’t kill them, Keno. Please.”
“It’s out of my hands, Maggie; do you understand that? And it’s out of yours, too.”
“How can I sit here and do nothing?”
“Because being in the middle of it helps no one.”
“Can’t you please stop the club from killing them?”
“I doubt it.”
“Please, Keno. If you care for me…”
“I care about you, Maggie. Don’t ever doubt that.” He presses his lips to my forehead. “I’ll do what I can. I can’t make any promises.”
“Thank you.”