Sunlight washed across my face as I stepped out of the Mustang. Nick closed the door, then rounded the front, holding out his hand. “You ready for this, Princess?”
Ready? No, not really.
But it still needed to be done. I gave a nod and lifted the bunch of flowers in my hand. Yellow sunflowers and red roses with faint sprays of baby breath. It was a cheerful array, conveying a feeling I wasn’t in tune with.
“I’m right here.” His big hand clenched around mine, giving me all the strength I needed.
He took the first step and I followed. My heels sank in the soft grass, forcing me up to my toes as we crossed the front of the grounds. A fresh clump of dirt squashed under my step and the heady smell of the earth filled my nose. The sunlight wasn’t warm anymore, it wasn’t beautiful or calming. It was harsh and hollow and cruel.
Yes. That’s what it was…cruel.
I glanced at the rows of tombstones, then the fresh dirt spread out on top.
“Row two fifteen, it’s this one here.”
I forced a smile and gave a nod. But inside I was pulling away, retreating into the memory of Alias this morning. He was smiling now, kicking his little legs in the warm bath, watching everything around him. A pure joy to be around. My heart gave a flutter when I thought about him, which was exactly what I needed.
“There he is.”
I lifted my gaze and sunlight caught my eye, blinding me for a second before it passed and I stepped closer. Fresh earth and a clean headstone.
Weyland King…
My father.
I stopped at the base of the grave. My heart boomed, emotions a whirlwind inside me.
Please, Ryth. Please take it.
For a split second, I was back there in that room, in the seconds before the crack of the gunshot sounded. My hand clenched around the base of the flowers, just like it had around the USB he’d given me. A USB that was worth dying for. One I’d given to the best person to not only investigate, but keep its secrets safe. Only my father was already dying at that time, wasn’t he? I just didn’t know it yet.
He was dying, and instead of spending his last few months with us, he’d chosen to spend them with Haelstrom Hale.
“You okay, Princess?”
I gave a nod, my emotions conflicted. “Is it strange to love him and hate him all at the same time?”
“Strange? No, baby. It’s not strange. Your father was a deeply complicated man. One who made his own decisions in life without thinking about the consequences or how they might impact on those he loved. I guess in a way, you have to just be okay with it being fucked, that’s all. It’s all fucked.”
It was all fucked.
I hated it, but that didn’t change the outcome. He was gone. Hale was gone. Now, it was time to move on with our lives however we could. “Goodbye, Dad, I hope you find peace where you are now.”
Nick wrapped his arm around my shoulders as I pulled one red rose free from the bouquet and stepped forward. “Goodbye, Dad.” I said and laid the rose at the base of his tombstone.
Nick stepped away and I followed, heading further along the rows until we came to another fresh grave. There were too many for us to count. This war was relentless.
I left my father’s grave behind, heading for the one we’d come to see, and stopped at Benjamin Rossi’s stone. This man had been more of a father than my own. He’d protected and fought for us. Then he’d died for us, doing all the things a father should have. A lump rose in the back of my throat, hard and throbbing, filling me with an ache I couldn’t swallow.
I bent, placing the flowers down. “Thank you, Ben, for everything.”
Nick stayed quiet and unmoving, but I could tell he hurt for this man. We all did. When I turned around and reached for his hand, there were tears in his eyes.
“Now, how about that chocolate shake?” His voice was thick and husky.
“I don’t really know. I just want…” I met his stare. “You.”
A nod and we left the cemetery, heading toward our old house. Nostalgia hit me as we drove familiar streets and finally turned, creeping past our old house until we turned right. The sight of our old park hit me hard. My chest ached at the sight as he pulled the Mustang in and parked.
“Do you think you’ll ever sell the house?”
“Do you want me to?” He glanced my way. “Because if you do…”
“No.” I shook my head, shifting in the seat. So much had changed now and still…nothing really had. We were together and now finally we were safe. As much as I wanted to move on from the painful memories of my father, there were just some things I didn’t want to leave behind. Including the memory of when we first met. “No, I don’t want to.”
“Then I won’t. Whatever you want, Princess. You know that.”
I did. I knew that well. I stabbed the button to release my belt and turned in my seat, climbing over the gearstick. “And what if I want a trip down memory lane?”
His chuckle was instant as he grabbed me and pulled me close. “I thought you’d never ask.”
I kissed him and grazed my fingers along his stubble before I pulled away, easing back to my seat. Those dark eyes glinted when they looked at me, watching me slowly pull the bottom of my sundress higher.
“Jesus fucking Christ, little sister. You’re gonna make me come all over myself like a goddamn teenager again, aren’t you?”
My lips curled as I eased my thighs apart, my finger sliding under the elastic of my sheer lace panties. “Only if you behave.”
A low, guttural sound erupted just before he lunged. But I knew him now. I knew him better than anyone would. My hand instantly went for the door handle before I yanked hard and pushed out of the car, tore across the grass ahead, and raced for the trees.
“Goddamnit, Ryth!” He roared.
My pulse rocketed at the sound. Fists pumping, my legs stretched and drove my body toward the trees until I was snatched out of the air.
“You gonna make me run, Ryth?” He growled, turning me around until we both fell to the ground. “Goddamnit,” He grunted.
He tried to be angry, but he wasn’t, not when he pressed me back into the grass and leaned down. Hard breaths punctuated his words. “I’m always chasing after you, always…”
“Desperate for me,” I answered for him.
There was a tiny scowl, then his mouth collided with mine, kissing me so deep it stole my mind. His hard body pushed, slowly rubbing, his hips grinding until I felt the hard outline of his cock before he pulled away.
“You want to fuck me, Nick?”
“Princess, I always want to fuck you,” he growled. “I never wanted anything more.”
He lowered his head and his kiss was softer now, turning from the man who wanted inside me to the man who wanted to take his time. Kissing, licking, until I was a quivering wet mess under him.
“I’m going to take you home and you’re going to keep that goddamn dress on while you ride me.” He groaned. “What do you think about that?”
Think about it?
It’s all I thought about.
Him, Tobias, and Caleb.
My family.
Forever.
“Then do it,” I murmured. “And if you come nice and deep inside me, we might make a sister for our son.”
His eyes widened. “You want that, baby?”
I reached up, caressed his face, and stared deep into his eyes. “Yes, Nick. I want that.”
“We have to be careful now.” He searched my stare. “It’s not like it was before, but we still have to be safe. The new house…the new…opportunities.”
The desire gave way to a flicker of fear. I knew what opportunities he was talking about. Ones that were born from loyalty and this time they weren’t just loyal to me…now we were loyal to the Rossis.
“Take me home, Nick. Let’s love each other as hard as we can until the end.”
“Until the end, baby,” He murmured, kissing me one last time before he slowly rose and pulled me up with him.
Together we went home. Our new home. One that filled me with fear and love, all at the same time.
