Page 9 of Parrish
He carries me over the threshold and gives me a hint of the smile I love. It’s a rare feat for my tortured prince and I’m just as spellbound by it as I was the day, he first gave it to me.
“I never deserved you,” he says as he touches his forehead to mine.
“That’s not true,” I whisper, lifting my hand to his cheek. He deserved so much more than me. He deserved peace and tranquility, both of which he’ll never get. Instead of walking towards peace he’ll forever run towards chaos.
“You changed me, Reina,” he murmurs. “You put your hand in mine and never looked back. You made me better than I was and gave me a reason to keep going when you gave me your heart,” he pauses for a beat, lifting his thumb to wipe away my tears as he swallows. “I’ve never had someone love me like you loved me,” he rasps.
“Don’t talk about us like we’re in the past,” I beg, bringing my hands to his cheeks. “I’ll always love you Jack Parrish. A love like ours doesn’t die.”
He nods, drawing in a deep breath.
“I love you, Reina. Don’t you forget that.”
“Never.”
With another peck to my lips, he sets me down on my feet and drags me into his strong embrace. The scent of his cologne mixed with leather and gasoline assaults my senses as I cling to him. I wish I could bottle it up so when I’m alone at night I’ll still be able to smell him.
The moment is interrupted by a knock on the door. Regretfully, we break away from one another and I glance over Jack’s shoulder, silently willing whoever it is to go away.
This is my time and just once I’d like not to share him with anyone else.
“I have to go,” he says, lifting my chin. “I’ll be back in an hour or so, then we’ll go pick Danny up from school together. I’d like to spend some time with him, tuck him into bed one more time and say goodbye to Lacey before you and I head out for the night.”
I suck in a breath and try my hardest not to cry, but the thought of him saying goodbye to our son breaks what’s left of my heart. And then there is Lacey—if there is another soul who loves this man as much as me, it’s his daughter. I hate that the happiest time of her life is going to be shadowed with the devastation of losing her father. Almost as much as I’m sure Jack hates it.
Another knock on the door sounds followed by the ringing of the bell and I watch as Jack moves to answer it.
“Thank you for coming,” he says as he leans forward and wraps his arms around whoever it is standing on the front porch. After a moment he breaks the embrace and steps aside, allowing room for our guest to enter.
My eyes lock with Grace Pastore’s and there is no stopping the tears. You see, this woman, she’s been my savior. As the wife of the late mob boss, Victor Pastore, Grace has taught me the ins and outs of being the woman who stands in the shadow of a criminal.
Not only has she helped me navigate these waters and find my place in the underworld, but she’s been my pillar of strength, lending her ear every time I needed to vent and her shoulder when I needed to cry.
Years ago, she stood in my shoes and kissed her husband goodbye before he turned himself in. Since then she’s dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren. Her love for Victor never perished. If anyone knows what I’m feeling, it’s her.
Without hesitation, she closes the distance between us and wraps me in her embrace. There is no holding back. I know I should be brave and keep my strength for my husband but in Grace’s arms, I fall apart. I am not the light at the end of the tunnel, I am the darkness.
I am her.
Younger, dressed in leather with a bleeding heart, I am the Grace Pastore of the Satan’s Knights.
I am a woman braving the sacrifice her husband is making and losing the greatest part of my heart in return.
“It’s okay,” she whispers against my ear. “We’ll get through it, Reina. I promise you, we’ll make it through this storm too.”
Robotically, I nod as I lift my eyes and glance over her shoulder at my husband. Leaning against the closed door, he solemnly stares back at me.
“Thank you,” I mouth.
Nodding, he pushes off the door and takes a few steps forward. Grace gives me one last squeeze before breaking our embrace and brushing away my tears. Diverting my attention back to her, I watch her smile reassuringly at me as she pulls a handkerchief from her purse and dries my eyes.
“No crying,” she insists. “There will be plenty time for tears,” she whispers. “For now, you enjoy every minute and make beautiful memories.”
I look towards Jack. I thought tonight it would just be us. One night to make love last. As relieved as I am to see Grace, I’m not ready to fall apart and I can’t help but think that’s why he has called in the cavalry.
“What’s going on?” I question.
“If we only have tonight, Sunshine, you best believe I’m going to give you something to remember,” he replies, taking my hands. Lifting them to his lips, he brushes kisses over my knuckles before dazzling me with his smile.
