Page 153 of Redeeming the Villain

My music grows louder and louder as it builds toward its resolve. The final battle, the final tug-of-war between light and dark. Right when you feel the song start to crescendo and balance, a new harmony between the two emerges, humming softly through the air until silence is all that remains.

Applause breaks out in the concert hall. Slowly turning toward the audience, I rise to my feet, step out from the bench, and bow. The lights are blinding from here, blocking most of the faces and much of the enormous room. But I can feel his stare, and I find him in the front row. Malik stands up, applauding, and the entire crowd follows suit.

When I can make out the audience’s faces, my smile becomes uncontained, and pure joy blooms in my chest as I see not only that Malik, my aunts, and Sunny are in attendance, but also the rest of his friends—my friends—Griffin, Asher, Dean, Elias, Finn, Blair, Lumi … and Lumi’s new boyfriend, Matt.

Bowing once more, I spin and walk upstage, slipping behind the curtain. The host of the showcase, our university’s president, thanks everyone for coming, bringing the night to a close.

I still can’t believe that I was the closing performer.

After everything that happened with Rupert Von London, I wasn’t sure I would be here at all, but to be selected to end the entire show is really special.

“There you are,” Malik murmurs, spinning me around and kissing me softly. “You were … incredible, Bug. It was beautiful.”

God, I’ll never get over how good he looks in a suit. It’s a good thing I’ll get to see him wear one a lot when he goes pro. He might not be signed yet, but he did mention that a representative for the local professional team had reached out to him and Griffin recently to discuss an entry-level contract, which is a huge first step.

We walk out hand in hand, and our group is waiting for us in the lobby of the auditorium.

Praise and cheers overwhelm me as we approach them.

Taking the leash from Flora, I crouch down and kiss Sunny’s forehead. “Hi, baby.”

She looks up at me with those big brown eyes, and I have to fight the cute aggression from taking over.

After a slew of hugs, Malik, Sunny, and I head home.

My phone vibrates in my purse when we get into his new car—a Corvette still, but a brand-new one that doesn’t hold any bad memories.

He wanted to get rid of the one my dad had given him to cleanse that part of his life. My card was slapped onto the countertop the second we walked into a dealership so he could just “look.” And of course, I refused to leave unless it was in a new vehicle … because I’m a spoiled and bratty princess …right?

I quickly check the text, and it’s just the one I wanted to see.

Investigator Lawrence: Waiting outside, ma’am.

Perfect. Be there in a few.

Evermore has become my home, and I’m not sure I ever want to leave. But until that road comes where we might have to move for his future, I got us a place that we’ll be comfortable in. One that’s just for us three.

Sunny loves the gigantic backyard and the thousand blankets she buries herself in on the couches and beds. Malik loves it for basically the same reason, but I think his favorite might be the movie room, where we spend way too much of our free time.

We turn into our driveway, one nearly as long as Griffin and Blair’s. The path is surrounded by huge, old trees, connecting at the top in a beautiful arch.

“Who is that?” Malik asks the second our home comes into view behind the sky-high hedges and thorny rose bushes.

“A surprise,” I murmur, nearly bursting at the seams as he pulls to a stop in front of the curb, not bothering to go around the corner into the garage complex.

The man in a suit waits at the top of our stairs, framed by the large wooden arch doors, a large box in his hands.

“Come on,” I coo, grabbing my purse and stepping out of the car.

Malik appears at my side, his eyes glued on the strange man, but there’s something else in his eyes, a sense of hope, and I can’t wait for that seed to blossom.

“Good evening,” he greets us, and I smile.

“Thank you so much for this. Seriously, we cannot express our gratitude enough,” I say, carefully taking the box from his hands, surprised by how heavy it is.

With a sharp nod, he descends the stairs and leaves without another word.

Unlocking our door, Malik leads the way inside, walking backward as I follow him in, confusion etched in his features.

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