Page 61 of Love & Vendettas

“I know. Thank you,” Riley replies softly.

“I have someone who can assist you with making the funeral arrangements,” Zaire states.

My sister buckles just a bit as she reaches out to grab hold of the bottom of the bedpost. Zechariah reaches an arm around her to comfort her, but she shakes her head.

She smiles at Zechariah. “I’m fine, Zech. Thanks.”

“You sure, auntie?” he asks, rubbing her back.

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“All right, boys. You all have somewhere to be. School isn’t giving out holidays just because your mother was kidnapped,” I try teasing.

Based on the look Zaire shoots my way, it wasn’t successful.

“I’m taking Zayn to find a suit after I handle some business, so you don’t have to worry about that, baby,” Zaire remarks.

“Thanks, Dad,” Zayn replies, heading out of the room behind his brothers.

I look at Zaire and as006B, “Can you give Riley and me a minute, babe?”

“Sure,” he answers, bending closer and kissing my lips. “I’m about to head out and handle some things. Call me if you need anything.”

“Okay. Baby?”

“Yeah?”

“The boys have their security detail on them?”

“They do. Your little ass will keep your team on you at all times now. I don’t care what you feel about it,” Zaire orders the moment that I open my mouth.

“I was just going to say that I do feel safer with them around,” I pout.

“Good.”

He kisses me again, says bye to Riley, and leaves.

“Hey, honey. Come sit next to me,” I say, getting out of bed and heading into my separate sitting room.

We take chairs by the large bay window that overlooks the lake behind our home.

“I know this is hard for you, Rye.”

“No. You’re mistaking my sadness for grief, Leigh, and it’s not that.”

“What is it?” I ask as my heart swells with compassion for her.

“Thinking of all the years I wasted on his sorry ass. And honestly, I was so hurt that I let my self-esteem take such a dip screwing around with him. If it weren’t for Zaire handling him, I’d probably be going right back to him.”

“Even knowing that he had it out for you? I mean, if you went back after all this shit he’d done to you and what Zaire did to him, you do realize he would have killed you, don’t you?”

Riley pulls her fingers through her hair and closes her eyes.

“What am I going to do?”

“You’re free, Riley. I know that it doesn’t feel like it, but you’re finally free. You’d talked about selling the place and finding something new. You can do that now. Something smaller and that’s perfect for you. Take this time to get to know yourself, to heal, and then one day someone will come along who deserves you.”

“He’s all I’ve ever known, Leigh. I know that I deserve better than him, but it’s hard to accept that he’s gone.”

---