All My Broken Pieces (FindingLight #2)

Chapter 45

Arriana

This is starting to get ridiculous.

I sigh and duck my head as Andrew motions for us to stay in the elevator. The oversized sweatshirt hangs awkwardly on my body, severely limiting my mobility. I’m buzzing with the need to fight back, my instincts never having been flight, but I push down the desire.

Andrew pivots toward the police officers standing watch off to the right, striking up a conversation as he goes. “Excuse me.” He calls, drawing their attention to him. Once we’re certain he has them aptly distracted, the four of us stride out of the elevator, careful to appear natural and the least bit suspicious.

Fallon fidgets beside me, her eyes darting toward the uniformed officers and back to the entrance door. I slip my hand in hers, giving her a reassuring smile with a slight squeeze of my fingers. “It’s okay, baby. Just a little further.” She gulps and nods her head, wobbling just the slightest bit from the alcohol and drugs still working their way out of her system.

The reminder has my teeth setting on edge, with it the reality that I could lose her, that I could lose everything.

Nope. Not going to happen. I’m not leaving my baby again, they’ll have to kill me first.

My eyes shift to the two cops currently threatening my future with Fallon.

I’d like to see them try.

My lips curl up at the thought. The buzzing grows more insistent with each step, my mind running through all the possible scenarios.

I inhale calming breath after breath to center my focus. “Almost there.” I whisper, squeezing Fallon’s hand once more. She jerks her head in agreement, worrying her bottom lip. My eyes zero in on the motion, the desire to suck on the abused flesh nearly distracting enough to forget where we are.

The blast of cold air shocks me out of my hyperfixation, returning my attention to the task at hand. I smile widely up at the doorman as we pass by. “Miss Beckett. Miss Huxley.” He greets, inclining his head.

Fallon’s grip tightens on my hand at the sound of her name, her already ashen complexion paling further. We slip outside, pausing momentarily to make sure we’re in the clear.

“Let’s go.” A gruff voice sounds behind us moments before Andrew stomps toward the valet.

I exchange a look with Cooper before gently nudging Fallon along. My heart races as each step brings us closer to freedom. Fallon’s hand in mine only further fueling my excitement.

The valet pulls up to the curb with Andrew’s truck, climbing out and offering him the keys. “Thanks, man.” Andrew slips him a few bills before taking his keys and gesturing for us to get in.

I peer over after Fallon, gently squeezing her hand. “You ready, baby?”

A pair of iridescent eyes shift to mine, a hint of a smile ghosting her lips. “Ready for what?” She whispers.

Humming, I run my free hand down her cheek, moving to cup the back of her neck to draw her closer to me. Placing my lips next to her ear, I breathe, “The rest of our lives.”

The drive to Fallon’s brother's home was uneventful, Fallon and I had joined Andrew in the cab while our brothers rode in the truck bed. I caught Fallon repeatedly glancing back at the two, an unreadable look on her face. I didn’t press her on it, allowing the silence to envelope us and give room for our thoughts.

I had a trip to plan after all.

Now we find ourselves loading up the few things she can’t live without, most of which happen to be books.

“Baby.” I sigh, looking over the multitude of boxes lining the bed of the truck. “Is all this really necessary?”

She levels me with a glare that has me holding up my hands. “I’m not leaving behind my special editions and signed copies. It’s not happening.” Crossing her arms, she angles herself protectively between her prized possessions and me.

I let out a small laugh, reaching forward and tugging her against me. “Okay, okay.” I concede, brushing her hair behind her shoulder. Dipping my head, I pepper kisses up her neck, moving to nip her ear. “You know I’d give you the world if you asked.” I whisper, relishing in the chill that runs through her.

She slowly unfolds her arms, moving to grip mine in her shaky hands. “I know.” Her response is barely a breath, but it’s enough to send my soul aflight.

Sliding my hand up the back of her head, I grab a fistful of hair at the base of her skull, jerking her head to the side to give myself better access. She lets out a soft gasp that turns into a moan as I suck on the pulse point in her neck, running my tongue over her sensitive flesh. “Fuck, I missed you.” I groan against her skin.

“M-me too.” She shifts her eyes to mine, unshed tears threatening to spill over. “I’m…I’m so sorry.” The first tear breaks free, sliding down her flushed cheek.

I watch the progression. Moving my gaze to hers, I lean forward and capture the tear on my tongue, licking away the evidence of her pain. “I know, baby.” I murmur, pressing my lips to hers.

This kiss is different than the fevered one we shared before. The connection of our lips like a reunification of ourselves.

She’s mine.

Sliding my hands slowly down her body, I worship every inch of her, swallowing her gasps and soft moans. My fingers dig into her skin, needing to further our connection. Gripping her hips, I lift her body, grinning against her lips when she instinctively wraps her legs around my waist.

I break the kiss, trailing my lips down her neck as I press her body against the truck. “I love you, mi vida .” I whisper reverently before taking her pebbled nipple between my teeth. My lips turn up in a smirk at her quiet gasp, her nails digging into my back as I bite down through the fabric of her shirt.

“I-I love you too.” She whimpers, rolling her hips against me. “Please.” Her begging ignites the fire already burning inside of me until I’m no longer capable of thought, only desire.

“This what you need, baby?” I hum, unbuttoning her jeans and slipping my hand beneath the waistband to cup her pussy. She moans, her hands clawing at me, wordlessly begging in the most beautiful of ways. “Of course it is. Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”

I watch her closely as I shift my hand to slide my fingers under her panties and slowly circle her clit. Her head falls back, back arching and putting her perfect tits in my face. I groan, wishing I could tear the clothes off of her body and ravage her the way she deserves.

My finger slides through her wet slit, slowly pushing inside her needy cunt. I bite my lip at her quiet whimper, her pussy gripping me so tight I can barely move the digit. “So fucking perfect. Mi reina perfecta. ” The praise is a reverent declaration on my lips. I’m in awe of having this beautiful goddess back in my arms. “ Yo nunca te dejaré ir. Never again.” I vow, adding a second finger.

“I…” Fallon gasps, clutching my shirt in her hands as she grinds against me. “I wish I knew what you were saying.” Her quiet admittance has me pausing, the slight melancholy in her tone too much to ignore.

“Do you want to learn?” I study her intently, holding my breath as I wait for her reply.

I’d never thought to ask. Never imagined she might want to learn something to understand better, to understand me better.

Blinking open her eyes, Fallon smiles softly, moving her hands to cup my face. “Yes.” She breathes, pressing her lips to mine.

I gulp back the emotions, tightening my fingers still resting on her hip in an attempt to regain some of the control I’m losing.

Pulling back, she strokes her thumbs along my cheeks as she whispers, “I want to know everything about you, my love. All the good, all the bad. I want to know you .” My overworking heart stops and I find myself frozen in time and space. Fallon studies my expression carefully before arching her neck to place a soft kiss to my forehead. “You are mine and I am yours, Arriana. I never should have let you go. I never should have let anyone else’s opinions or words poison the way I felt about you.”

Resting her forehead to mine, she releases a heavy breath. “I never want to be apart again. I want to grow old with you. I want to go on adventures and talk all night. I want to learn the story behind every scar, I want to hear the story of you. Every good, bad, and ugly moment. Everything you’re ashamed of and everything you find pride in.”

She pauses, letting a quiet moment pass before leaning back to peer in my eyes once more. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. If you’ll have me.”

I close my eyes, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The only sound our heavy breathing and my thundering heartbeat.

She loves me. She wants me.

Blinking open my eyes, I get lost in the depths of hers, finding for the first time in my life, I’m at a loss for words. Gulping, I slowly nod my head.

Her anxious gaze softens, a grin breaking out on her face. Moving to wrap her arms around my neck, she asks, “Is that a yes?”

I flex my fingers still nestled inside her, smirking at her shocked gasp. “Was that ever in question, baby?” She flinches, averting her gaze and chewing on her lip. Gripping her chin, I gently move her head, forcing her eyes back on me. “Yes.” The one word holds more weight than a thousand of her stories, an entire lifetime held within the single worded promise.

Pulling my hand out of her pants, I slide my fingers into my mouth, groaning at the flavor of her. Her face falls, a pout forming on her lips at the loss. Chuckling, I lean forward and brush my lips against her ear. “Later. I’m going to make up for every moment we’ve been apart.” Setting her down, I turn to walk back into the apartment complex to finish loading up her things, but not before glancing over my shoulder and throwing her a wink. “Enjoy walking while you can, baby.”

Her face flushes, her thighs shifting as she hurriedly buttons her jeans once more. Rushing to join me, she loops her arm in mine. “I would expect no less from my psycho lover.” Her loving tone at the nickname settles the last of the uneasiness inside of me.

This woman has been to hell and back. She’s seen the good, the bad, and the terrifying, and yet she still has chosen me. This otherworldly, beautiful, broken yet perfect girl holds my heart in her small hands.

And, for not the first and I’m certain not the last time, I wonder what I could have done to deserve her.