“Willpower.” She kissed my chin. “You have it in spades.”

  “Mmm... I think you mean idiocy.” I tipped my head down to look into her gleaming, silvery eyes. “I love you so very, very much.”

  Her smile dazzled me, and her eyes heated to molten. She rose on her tiptoes and whispered in my ear, “I’m going to need you to show me how much.”

  I chuckled. “Definitely not a hardship.”

  She linked our fingers and raised our hands, kissing my battered knuckles. “I love you, Lennon. Just so we’re clear on that.”

  “I’m so glad, Vivi. So glad. Let’s get you home so I can show you how much you mean to me.”

  She shivered as she tipped her head back. “I like the sound of that.”

  Then we both frowned. Neither of us was comfortable having sex under my mom’s roof, so we often went back to my place first, though that came with its own issues, especially with Mom ready for more cancer treatments. Vivi took her duties as a live-in nurse very seriously.

  I sighed, then kissed her.

  “There may be a home going up for sale in Cormac’s neighborhood,” I said. “It has a pool house—about twelve hundred square feet. I was thinking we might like the house, and the pool house might be perfect for my mom to live in.”

  Vivian kissed me. “I like the sound of that. I think your mom might, too. She wants to be independent, but the chemo’s taken a lot out of her. Having her nearby would be good.”

  “You wouldn’t mind that?” I asked.

  Vivian shook her head. “I’d like her close. You’re so lucky, Lennon, to still have her.” She bit her lip, and I knew she was thinking of her own mother’s slow, painful passing. “I guess we’re just getting older, seeing our parents age and sicken. I’m happy to get the opportunity to know your mother.”

  I squeezed her hand. “You really are the best.”

  She laughed. “I have my moments.”

  My phone rang just as I helped Vivian into my truck. My shoulders tensed when I noted the name. “Hello, Detective,” I answered.

  Vivian’s gaze shot to mine, her lips pressed flat.

  “We got them, Lennon,” Detective Ahmed said quietly.

  I relayed the message to Vivian. Her gaze was steady. “We’ll come up there to identify them in person,” I told him immediately.

  Vivian gave a single sharp nod of agreement.

  Chapter 30

  Chapter

  Lennon

  * * *

  “You’re sure you have all three of the men? You got the first one, but this took so long, I wasn’t sure you really caught the other three.” I looked at Detective Ahmed again, just as I had two other times I’d asked since we’d arrived at the precinct early this morning. I was in shock; I hadn’t expected the men to be arrested.

  Vivian and I had caught a red eye out to Detroit after the game last night. I’d insisted on upgrading our seats so we could sleep more comfortably, and Vivian had reluctantly agreed.

  We were both sleep-rumpled and tired now, but we wanted this identification—this period of our life—behind us. The best, and really only, way to do that was to ensure the men responsible for the attack received justice.

  The bald, thin detective gave a sharp nod. “Yes, we’re sure. They match your description, Ms. Lee’s description—” He nodded at Vivian. “—and the images we took from nearby closed-circuit cameras. These are the men who attacked you, Lennon. They’re in custody. And after their most current armed assault, they will be spending a long, long time in prison.”

  “You’re sure?” My head seemed filled with cotton, my thoughts sluggish. I struggled to process that it was over. My terrified need to protect Vivi was done. Gone in a blink. “Vivian’s safe?” I hadn’t realized how much I was still holding on to those feelings.

  “She is. I promise, Lennon. These guys won’t be able to wiggle out of these charges. There were witnesses. It seems they became more and more brazen. Maybe because they weren’t caught when they assaulted you and Ms. Lee or maybe they just wanted to escalate the violence. In some ways, the reasons don’t matter; they were caught, and there are multiple witnesses plus the video evidence. They’re not going to be able to hurt and terrorize innocent citizens again.”

  “Thank you,” I said. I blew out a long breath.

  “You’re welcome. I wish it could have been sooner, but these are the reasons I continue to do my job.”

  I smiled, already planning to send Detective Ahmed a huge thank-you basket and tickets to the next game we played in Detroit. It would be a couple-hours’ drive for him, but I had no doubt he’d make it. “Thank you for continuing to work on the case. I can’t tell you how relieved I am.”

  “I figured you would be. I know that was a terrifying experience. For the record, you handled it better than most.” He raised his eyebrows and looked at each of us. “You ready to see the lineup?”

  Vivian

  I clutched Lennon’s hand and hugged his thick forearm to my chest as we stared at the six men standing on the other side of the glass. My breathing stuttered, but I kept it together. Lennon’s muscles clenched tighter and tighter. I rubbed my thumb along his palm and slowly, his tension receded.

  “Anyone look familiar?” Detective Ahmed asked.

  “Yes,” I said as strongly as I could. I needed to take the lead on this one. Lennon was capable and alpha most of the time, but in this case the traumatic brain injury and hallucination were more real to him than the actual event itself. And I never wanted him to feel less than—especially for something outside his control.

  “That one,” I said. My finger remained steady. “And that one.”

  “Lennon?” Detective Ahmed asked after he’d noted my response.

  Lennon blew out a breath. “Those two for sure, but can you have them speak?”

  “Sure,” Detective Ahmed said. He pressed the intercom and asked each man in the lineup to come forward and repeat a nursery rhyme.

  When the third man in line spoke, Lennon’s body went rigid. “Him. He was the one who cut me.”

  “You’re sure?” Detective Ahmed asked.

  “Positive.”

  A few more spoke, and then Lennon shuddered. “And he’s the spokesman. The one…”

  I leaned tighter against his side. He steadied, and his breathing returned to normal.

  “Can I talk to him?” Lennon asked. His muscles were so tight, I worried he’d pop.

  “Through the glass or in a detainment room?” Detective Ahmed asked.

  “Here. Like this.”

  Pride swelled in my chest as he took charge of his fear.

  “Go ahead,” the detective said.

  “Number Six, did you speak to Lennon Cruz after your companion cut him with the knife?”

  The man’s eyes darted back and forth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Before the police arrived. Did you speak to the man you assaulted when he was on the ground?”

  “No way. I didn’t do nothing.” He was sullen, his eyes dark and empty.

  “You’re sure you didn’t threaten his girlfriend?” Lennon pressed.

  “Nuh-uh. I didn’t do nothing like that. I…I…it was an easy score, see? We just needed the money. I didn’t threaten the woman. That was Anthony. He did that!” He pointed to the first man I’d recognized.

  “But neither of you threatened the woman once you incapacitated the man?” Lennon asked.

  Both men shook their heads wildly.

  Lennon stepped back. “That’s all.”

  “Thanks for getting that confession,” Detective Ahmed said. “That’ll make the rest of the process easier—and faster.”

  Lennon and I walked out of the police precinct, and the moment we stepped into the sunlight, I tipped my head back and soaked in the sun.

  “That feels so good,” I murmured. “Like we can fully turn the page.”

  Lennon stood next to me, his expression stoic.

  “Lennon?”

  “This may be ridiculous, but I feel like this massive weight has lifted off of me. I can breathe fully, Vivi. I’m not scared of what’s going to happen to you anymore.” He wrapped an arm around me, and I shifted close. His heart pattered against the hand I laid on his chest. With each breath, it slowed. “I know bad things can happen. I know we’re not promised tomorrow, but thinking there were men watching me, waiting to take you—hurt you—it was making me crazy.”

  “I wish I hadn’t let my fears hold me back from simply asking you.” I kissed his neck. “We could have resolved our split before it happened, that day in the hospital.”

  “And I wish I’d been brave enough to be honest. But now we have today and all the days you’ll put up with me.”

  I chuckled. “Like that’ll ever be a challenge.” I rose up on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my nose in the crook of his shoulder. “That’s over. It’s been over. I need you to hold me now, Lennon.”

  His arms were around me before I finished the request.

  “You know what my mom said is the hardest part of a relationship?” I asked.

  “No.”

  “Communication. She said it’s hard to be honest with another person, especially when you don’t want to be honest with yourself.” I pulled back to meet his eyes. My calves burned, but I kept myself on my toes, needing to be as close to him as possible. “We talk, especially about the hard stuff. The attraction and liking clicked immediately, and yes, I would have rather have not gone through those months of sadness and blaming myself, but it brought us to a much, much better place in our relationship. We’re honest with each other and ourselves. We admit when we need help. We’ve become a partnership. And that’s because of what we went through—in spite of the odds against us.”

  “Ah, Vivi. You’re so smart. I love you. I don’t tell you enough. I love you with all my heart.”

  I smiled. “I’m not going to say no to hearing that more often.”

  He chuckled but sobered quickly. “I didn’t like the way I felt in there. How those men made me feel. I’ve never been as scared as I was when I was sure they’d hurt you because of me.”

  I hugged him tighter. “Ah, Lennon. We all wobble from time to time. I’m shocked that I could be the reason you, Lennon Cruz, star starter for the Wildcatters, fell to your knees. Part of me gets off on that power, but…”

  My legs began to shake, and Lennon shifted so his forearm was just below my butt. He lifted me off my feet. Swoon. This man was strong. So capable. Yet, with me he remained gentle, careful…

  “But?” he asked.

  “But I love you the way you are, and that’s in control. You control your emotions, your reactions, your strength. I find that so sexy.” I nipped at his earlobe. “Well, not all the time.”Sometimes I do get a high from making you lose control.”

  He shuddered as he lowered his forehead to mine. “Ah, Vivi, you have no idea the power you hold over me. And you’re the only one who breaks my control—or gets to control me.” He kissed me, and I felt the thrill to my soul. I reveled in it.

  Chapter 31

  Chapter

  Lennon

  * * *

  Vivi and I walked back to the rental car hand in hand, both of us buoyant with the knowledge that our attackers had been caught. I drove her back to the bed and breakfast where she’d stayed the last time we were here, and I made slow, sweet love to my sweet lover.

  We had just one night in town because I had to get back for our last two regular-season games, but we decided not to push our luck and go out. Instead we ordered a decadent meal from our lovely hostess, Louise.

  We went to sleep wrapped around each other, and when I woke early the next morning, I knew this was the day. My instincts all clamored for me to tie Vivi to me here in this place that had made and nearly broken us, all within the span of a few days.

  Now we were mere weeks from the end of this hockey season, and I was only going to get busier, which was why I needed Vivian to know I was all in, that I loved her more than hockey.

  I set the ring box on the edge of the pillow between us, my heart climbing into my throat. But it was a good kind of feeling—that pure excitement of childhood Christmas Eves when I’d wiggled and squirmed with the desire to open my gifts.

  As I waited for Vivi to awaken, I thought about the time I’d let slip away. Perhaps my theory of surety was simply wrong. I’d been sure that man—I still didn’t know his name, and I really didn’t care to—had spoken to me, had threatened Vivian. Yet it was all in my head. Never happened.

  Wasn’t real.

  That told me that a lot of what I experienced was at least through my framing of the true situation. The next time I disagreed with a teammate, my family, or Vivi, I wanted to remember how this felt—the realization that I could be right in my reality and wrong in theirs.

  What a total mind fuck.

  Beyond that need to be a better listener and a more thoughtful communicator, I thought about what the future would hold. As much as I loved hockey, as much as I cared about my teammates—my family—I needed to move on. It was time. Well, I had one more year on my contract, but I wasn’t looking to sign another. As Coach Whittaker had said when he picked me up from the airport last year, my continued health was worth more than even the millions I’d earn by playing longer.

  Vivian, our family, now came first.

  Her lids fluttered, and she blinked. She stretched before she smiled. Then, noticing the jeweler’s box, she gasped. “Lennon…” she breathed.

  “Vivian,” I replied, smiling.

  “I…”

  “Do you want to open it, or do you want me to?”

  She continued to gawk at me, so I grabbed the box and hopped from the bed. Rounding to her side, I slid to my knees. She sat up, her luscious hair spilling around her shoulders, slightly tangled from sleep. Her eyes were luminous.

  I’d chosen this time of day because it was my favorite. Vivian was so soft and snuggly in the mornings. I loved cuddling her—I wanted to do that every day for the rest of my life.

  I told her exactly that. Then I said, “Meeting you was such a gift. I knew when we were in that café that you were special—that we were meant to be. I knew you’d be the woman who made me love hardest, which also means you have the ability to drive me craziest, make me angriest, cause me to laugh the hardest, and be the most tender. You’re it for me, Vivian Lee. I never, ever want to spend another day apart. Marry me.”

  “But…hockey—your job, what I’m going to do next…”

  I flipped open the box as she stammered. It took a full fifteen seconds before her eyes dropped to the ring nestled there. “Oh…my…”

  “I do have to finish this season and play the next one, so you’re right that there will be days we’re not together. But you’ll be mine as I’m yours, and I’ll talk to you and text you all the time, so we’ll barely feel like we’re apart.”

  Her features softened as love shone in her eyes. She was gorgeous—so perfect for me. She lifted her hand and cupped my cheek. “Yes, Lennon. Yes, I’ll marry you.” Tears filled her eyes as she continued to hold my gaze. “I knew I would. I just knew it. In my bones, my heart, when we were here before. It was like…my mother gave me you.”

  I kissed her palm. Then I did it again because I could and because she needed the connection. I pulled the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. Vivian had delicate hands, and I’d gone for a statement ring. It was big—my chest swelled with pride because everyone would see it and know Vivian was mine.

  That sounded so caveman, because it was. But I was Vivian’s, from my soul to my mind and body, and I wanted her to claim me, too.

  She stared at the ring on her finger for a long moment, and then she shrieked as she leaped out of bed. Her legs tangled in the sheets and she fell…right into my lap.

  I laughed. “This is just like what happened last September with your hat at my feet.” I nuzzled into her neck. “Now here you are in my arms.”

  She looped her slender arms around my neck and peppered me with kisses. “No place I’d rather be, Lennon. Absolutely no place.”

  When our lips connected, the rightness of us clicked once again. I wasn’t sure how that was possible—I already knew Vivian was my great and only love. Still, just like when I’d looked into her silver eyes last year, I knew. She fit me. I fit her. Together, we locked in place, stronger because we were together.

  I shifted and stood, fumbling a little to lay her on the bed. I kept kissing as I lay next to her, as I stripped off her flimsy nightie, as I tugged off her panties, as I tugged off my sleeping pants and boxer briefs, and as I entered her soft, welcoming warmth. Slowly, I edged back, then shuttled into her even deeper.

  “Lennon,” she cried against my lips. “Oh…Lennon.”

  She fluttered around me, and we both moaned. “You feel good. So good, Vivi.”

  “Oh…oh, Lennon…yes…it’s better. Somehow it’s better now.”

  “Engagement sex is the best.” I groaned, struggling to maintain my rhythm as Vivian convulsed on my dick.

  Her soft noises of need nearly sent me over the edge, but I refused. Vivian was going to come at least once—twice, if I could stand it—before I did. I wanted this joining to be the best of her life.

  We were free from the past. We were ready to start our lives. This was a celebration to commemorate all of that.

  We both breathed hard and Vivian’s body quivered when I finally released deep inside her.

  “That was…” I brought my shaking arm to cover my eyes.

  “Intense,” Vivian panted. “So freaking intense.”

  “Never thought sex might kill me, but I was pretty sure my heart was going to burst.”

  Vivian rolled atop me, clutching my shoulders. “Don’t leave me, Lennon. I can’t—don’t joke about that.”

  I wrapped my arms around her waist and murmured my love, my devotion, my plans to be around forever into her sweat-soaked hair.