Page 60 of Rebel

As soon as we exited the car, Rebel took my hand tightly in his. Several people from school had come to pay their respects to Chase. I loved how something as simple as holding my hand made such a loud and pronounced statement. I was Rebel’s, and he wanted everyone to know.

So many people approached Mom and me, telling us how sorry they were. It was hard to hear. Not that I didn’t appreciate it of course. I could only take so much. Already I wanted to flee.

Finally, the service got started. The minister Mom hired did some readings before asking people to speak. There was so much I could’ve said about my brother. Those things were between us though, and I’d been saying them every day since he left us. There was no way I would make it through a public speech without crying my eyes out.

Chase’s closest friends all got up to speak, which made Mom both smile and cry. I kept sneaking glances her way, making sure she was holding up. Larry never once left her side. Again, I was grateful that she’d found him. As much as the selfish part of me didn’t love sharing her, I knew that she deserved to be happy.

“Are you okay, pet?” Rebel leaned in to whisper softly in my ear.

I glanced up to find him studying me closely. Worry creased his brow.

“Yeah,” I whispered back. “It’s all kind of overwhelming, but I’m okay.”

He slid an arm around me, tucking me in against him. I breathed in the scent of him, finding his mere presence calming and reassuring. My heart fluttered in a way that could only mean one thing. I’d fallen head over heels for Rebel Kane.

We stood there together, listening as people said lovely things about my brother. I almost forgot what a jerkass he’d been to me more than half the time. I would now look back on those times fondly. There was nothing I wouldn’t have done to have him back.

When the service ended, I told Mom and Larry to head home without us. It was such a beautiful day. Perfect weather for walking back. Plus, it gave me a chance to be alone with Rebel and my thoughts.

Mom pulled me into a bone crushing hug. “Try not to be too long. We thought it would be nice to go for dinner at that burrito place Chase loved so much. You should bring Rebel.”

“That sounds nice. We won’t be long.”

Once Rebel and I were alone in the cemetery, I knelt next to my brother’s headstone. I touched one of the flowers in a bouquet that had been left. The petals were so soft and delicate. The scent so sweet and full of life.

Standing up, I smoothed back my hair and turned around to find Rebel on his knees behind me. He held a knife in one hand.

“Rebel? What’s going on? What’s with the scary knife?” A pit formed in my stomach.

That pit only grew when he pressed the knife to the side of his throat. “There’s something I’ve been needing to say to you, Storm. Something I should’ve said a while ago.”

“That’s fine. We can talk. Do you have to do it with a knife to your throat?” No matter how well I thought I’d gotten to know Rebel, he still managed to surprise me. Something told me that he always would.

“I do.” He nodded. His gaze locked onto mine, his eye contact piercing and intense. “I need to tell you how sorry I am. For the way that I treated you. For acting like you were beneath me. If anything, I’m beneath you. You’re far too good for me, Storm, and I hope you never realize it.”

“Rebel, you really don’t have to—”

“I do though. I know I’m kind of an asshole. There’s no excuse for that. I need you to know how sorry I am for the shit I put you through when you first moved in next door. Maybe if I hadn’t been so emotionally stunted and full of myself, I would’ve been able to treat you like the queen you are right from the start.” As he spoke, the knife began to press deeper into his skin.

Panic made my mouth dry. I was afraid to make a move. Afraid it would set him off and he would do something crazy.

“Rebel, please stop. You’re freaking me out.” Not knowing what else to do, I went to my knees before him. “Please put the knife down.”

A few drops of blood welled up from the cut, rolling down the side of his tattooed neck, disappearing beneath his dark suit. This was Rebel’s way of humbling himself before me. Punishing himself for what he couldn’t take back. I didn’t want that. I only wanted him.

“I promise you, Storm, that I will end myself before I ever let myself hurt you like that again.” His hand was incredibly steady as he dragged the knife along his neck.

Unable to allow him to hurt himself further, my hand shot out, grasping his. “That’s enough. No more. Watching you do this is hurting me.”

He blinked those enchanting blue eyes at me a few times before slowly pulling the knife away from his bleeding neck. He let me take it from him, watching as I clutched the handle tight in my grasp.

I wasn’t sure what I was doing. Emotion drove me. I let it guide me as I dragged the knife across my palm. Rebel didn’t hesitate to offer me his palm. I cut his as well, careful not to go too deep.

Tossing the knife onto the grass, I grasped Rebel’s hand in mine, pressing our palms tight together. “I forgive you. Now you need to forgive yourself. You’re so deep inside me, Rebel. I never believed that I would want to be so completely consumed by anyone the way I do with you. I am yours.”

He stared at our joined hands, watching the blood drip onto the grass. “I love you, Storm. So fucking much. Powerfully. Deeply. Completely. I am yours too.”

Hearing him profess his love stole my breath and my voice. Before I could say it back, he caught my lips in a head spinning kiss that left me gasping. I slid onto his lap, needing to feel him against me. Maybe it was the cemetery vibe or the blood that represented us both. I’d never felt more alive.

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