“You got him, and I won’t stop until we get her,” my father whispers, kissing the top of my head.
I don’t move- letting the man I’ve been so angry with comfort me for the first time since coming home. I’ve missed him. I didn’t realize how much until just now.
I’m not sure how long I lay in my father’s arms battling the demons before Liam says, “Go to her- go see Emma.”
That prompts me to move, and for the first time, my lungs feel like they can take a full breath.
My father eases back, his matching gaze peering into mine. No words are spoken, but so much is said. We’re nowhere near where we used to be, but it’s a step in the right direction. He helps me stand as Liam comes up next to us.
“I’ll clean this up. Go see our girl,
” he demands, making me smile.
He’s finally getting it.
I watch Liam walk toward the table, picking up another syringe before going to a still passed-out Aleksi. He deserves a far more agonizing death, but I’m sure whatever Liam has in that needle won’t give him a peaceful end.
Now it’s time to see the only person who can tame the monsters.
My feet move on autopilot. I’m in my car and have it started, peeling out of the driveway.
She can never find out. Emma will be destroyed if she ever knew how truly twisted her mother is. I would never allow her to feel that pain.
I feel my stomach churn- memories flooding me.
“Such a good boy. The plans I have for you and the rest of the heirs are only just beginning,” the woman’s voice coos as her fingers trail up my exposed stomach.
Why won’t she stop touching me?
The flashback causes me to swerve to the side of the road, slam the car into park, throw my door open, and jump out just as the bile rises. I heave the contents of my stomach outside.
It was better when I didn’t know.
A scream rips from my lungs, my hands pulling at my hair.
Why did it have to happen? I want to say why me, but I’d never wish for it to be any of my friends- brothers either.
I feel the tears flowing down my face, the air of the night suffocating as it brushes against them. I need to get the fuck out of here.
She’s waiting for me.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I take a moment to catch my breath, then lift my body back into the car, grab a towel from the back, wipe my mouth, and shift my car back onto the road.
All the years of wondering- now I wish I still was in the dark.
By the time I look up, I’m in my driveway, with no recollection of how I got there. My mind is still buzzing- my skin still alight. I wish I could bring Aleksi back to life and use my knives this time. Shove one right into the tip of his dick.
I push my door open, staggering my way through the house and up the stairs to my room. The room is dark, illuminated only by the television. I step through the door-my eyes laser in on the perfect form on my bed, and for the first time in the last few hours, I breathe.
Emma lies sprawled across my sheets, the blanket covering her legs, leaving the sight of her voluptuous ass on full display. My eyes travel up her body as I walk completely into the room. I have to bite my lip to hold in my groan at the sight of her in one of my tee shirts.
Fuck she’s a vision.
I make my way to the bathroom to shower. I can’t climb into bed with this scum’s blood on me.
Once the hot water beats against my back, the adrenaline that keyed me up dissipates, and I can feel my body getting sluggish, but I thoroughly scrub my body and wash my hair, and brush my teeth before exiting the shower and making my way over to the bed after I’ve dried off.
I pull the covers down and climb into bed, sliding up behind Emma, wrapping my arm around her body, and pulling her into me.
“You’re back,” she mumbles, sleepily.
“I am.”
“Good,” she murmurs, and then her breaths even out as she falls back to sleep.
I lower my head until my mouth presses to her neck, planting a light kiss and inhaling her calming scent.
Finally, it’s quiet.
Peace- is my last thought as my eyes close, and the dreams that normally haunt me are nowhere to be found.
EMMA
A masculine spice hits my nose, and I immediately wake up.
I’m enveloped in the warmth of two massive arms. My cheek is pressed to Karl’s chest. I’m completely cocooned.
I could stay like this forever, but my bladder is a second away from reverting me into a potty-training toddler.
Pulling out of Karl’s warmth, I climb out of his bed, groaning at the delicious ache between my thighs, and rush to the bathroom, making it just in time not to embarrass myself.
Once I’ve finished and flushed the toilet, I stand in front of his expansive mirror, staring at my disheveled state.
I turn on the faucet to wash my hands and look for toothpaste. There’s no way I’m climbing back in that bed with morning breath. I don’t want to be nosey, but I need at least some mouthwash, dammit.
My eyes lock on the spot August and Karl devoured me the last time I was in his bathroom. Heat rises in my cheeks as butterflies stir in my stomach.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.