Page 150 of Sinful King
“How long before we can start construction?” she asked, turning to face me. “I’m ready to turn this into our home tomorrow.”
I smiled and walked toward her.
“The inspector will come on Monday. We’ll get any repairs needed done first and then start construction. Maybe a couple weeks? I can get a definite timeline for you later.”
She nodded and walked toward me.
“Do you have any preferences?”
I shook my head.
“Nah. Whatever you do I’m sure it’ll feel like home.”
“When are you going to tell me what’s been bothering you?” she asked, smoothly calling me out. “I thought you’d be happy he’s back, even under the circumstances.”
There was no point of keeping it bottled in. My grandda had been right, I knew exactly why I felt uncomfortable with his presence suddenly.
“When I see him I feel this need to cry,” I told her, tapping my chest. “There’s an ache here and I think… no, I’m certain it’s because I never let myself feel the weight of my grandmother’s murder.”
She was here and then she was gone and then my grandda retired to Ithaca. It was easy to see him occasionally but knowing he didn’t plan to go back meant exhuming my past from where I’d locked it away.
Blair stepped in front of me.
“You can cry if that’s what you need, little deer,” she murmured, cupping my face and brushing her thumbs beneath my eyes. “You loved her. I’m sure she adored you. Come here.”
She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me into her. The way she was coaxing the fucking tears from me was working.
My eyes burned but I fought it.
What was the point in crying now?
“It happened. It’s over and I got to avenge her,” I said, securing my arms around her waist.
Blair kissed my neck.
“Yes, you got to avenge her. It happened and it’s over. But you haven’t grieved, little deer. I want you to start today…” she pressed her lips to my ear. “Right here, right now. I got you, like you’ve had me. Like youhave me.”
The first tear dropped without my permission and the rest followed suit, leaving me clinging to this woman who I’ve loved almost just as long as my grandmother been gone. It was as if she’d sent this angel to me, knowing she’d stick by my side all these years.
I let that consume me.
The idea that Blair and I were always meant to meet and fall in love, to grow together instead of apart.
I cried quietly, clutching her as my knotted grief unraveled. I let the tears fall, and Blair pulled back slightly, kissing them away as they did.
Blair had this way of knowing when to stay silent. I could feel the words she wasn’t speaking; the ones that told me she was there, that she’d always be there and that this was exactly what I needed to do. That I could do it again and again and she’d never judge me.
My chest heaved a little and my head fell to her shoulder. I wanted to hold on to her forever, but I finally pulled away and wiped my face.
I was about to thank her, but my secure phone buzzed and I pulled it from my pocket, answering the unknown number’s call.
“This can only be one person.”
Demetrius chuckled.
“Got a parting gift for my new business partners. I can deliver the sick fuck to a location of your choosingorI can make sure the entire tri-state knows his crimes and he never sees the light of day again. Your choice.”
I handed the phone to Blair; she put it on speaker and he repeated himself for her.
