Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 838

When he finished, I found myself curling even fighter. Hayden shifted closer, his hand brushing mine. "Are you scared of what I've told you so far?"

The truth was, not really. So far, it was just a rundown of shady deals and insane tests he'd endured. But my mind had already spun it into something straight out of an undercover spy movie-life-or-death situations, Impossible choices, brutal sacrifices, "Hayden," I whispered, cutting off my own spiraling thoughts. "Hold me."

He hesitated, his grip on my hand firin but cautious, like he wasn't sure if I'd pull away again.

I didn't. Instead, I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around him,

His chin came to rest lightly on the top of my head, that small, familiar gesture unraveling the doubts still clinging to me. This wasn't Xander, wasn't some stranger. This was Hayden. My Hayden.

Without thinking, my hands slid under his shirt, gliding along his waist.

"Kiki," he said, his voice tight, "there are no injuries."

I kept going. "Let me see for myself."

"Are you sure?" His lips twitched like he was holding back.

"Yes, I'm sure," I said flatly. I mean, I was pregnant-he wouldn't dare try anything sketchy now.

"Still bossy," he murmured, his tone indulgent. Then, with one smooth motion, he pulled his shirt off.

I blinked.

sculpted muscles, the sharp lines of his abs. For a second, I just stared, completely forgetting why I'd asked him to take it off in the first place. "Weren't you checking for injuries?" he teased,

37. 37.

my face.

over his skin, careful and focused. No fresh cuts, no bruises-nothing but the

been through... I

1/3

+25 BONUS

Chapter 838

the memory hitting me hard. Back when we used to fall asleep together, my hand would always end up resting on his stomach, like it was the only way I could settle It had been so long since I'd

just sat there, letting me touch him, letting

grew, but it wasn't heavy. If anything, it felt peaceful, like we'd both finally found something we'd

around me. "I thought you wouldn't recognize me," he admitted. "Figured you'd

a million times that if I ever saw him again, I'd punch

all the tension hanging between us, lashing

I'd grown up. Maybe I'd finally learned not to let

poking him lightly. "Want me to

settle it later." His

voice serious. "Hayden, if Lena doesn't come back, or if anything happens to her, I won't forgive you. I don't care what your reasons were for taking her." I needed him to

he'd explained it was a