Page 23 of Forever

“Do you really think this is a negotiation? You were working with Locatelli to murder me and my entire family.”

“I didn’t know why…”

“And now you’ll be in the know. Poppy, get closer to Magnus and discuss things, will you? I don’t want to be a part of this anymore. I’m retired.” He moved his hands together to show them that he actually wanted them to move closer together.

“Wait!” Tanner yelled and stepped in between Poppy and Magnus. “Magnus King, I want to formally introduce you to Poppy Cannavaro.” He grabbed both their hands and made them shake. “That counts, I think,” he said. “I introduced them. You all saw it, right?”

“That definitely counts,” Nigel said. “Has anyone seen the pin to my grenade? My thumb is getting tired. And explosions aren’t always good for coitus.”

“Ew what?” Poppy said. She glanced at Magnus with her nose turned up.

Nigel kept pulling out his pockets. “Love is in the air. Don’t you feel it? I just hope it’s not explosive.”

I had no idea what Nigel was talking about. I just wanted out of this room. And away from that grenade. I looked up at Matt. “Take me home."

Chapter 7

Friday

Matt

Mason and Bee were still working with a member of James’ security to make sure my house hadn’t been tampered with. I didn’t want to take Brooklyn back there until we got the all-clear.

I stared at Brooklyn’s back. She was just standing in the doorjamb of Scarlett’s room where all the kids were asleep.

I wanted to comfort her. But I didn’t know how when I was still a little shaky. I didn’t know if I would have actually gone through with pulling the trigger. But when I’d thought I had? I’d never felt so much regret.

All I wanted was for Brooklyn to be safe. But I wasn’t a killer. She told me that I was exactly what she wanted. That she didn’t need me to be someone I wasn’t. But there was a part of me that knew she’d always miss Miller. Not that she wished I was him. Just that she wished he was still here.

A sob escaped her throat.

I never could stay away when I knew she needed me. “Baby.” I put my hand on her shoulder and she jumped.

She turned her head away from me to try and hide her tears.

“Come here.” I pulled her against my chest.

“I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost Jacob too.”

I ran my fingers through her hair. God it killed me to see her cry. “It’s over now.”For real this time.

“It’s hard to believe that when the pain never stops.”

I held her tighter.

Someone cleared their throat.

I turned to see Penny standing there.

“I was just checking in,” she said. “I don’t know how much longer Mason and Bee will be. But you two should spend the night. Rob and Daphne are staying too. A slumber party of sorts.” She smiled.

Honestly that sounded great. Being with our friends right now helped. “Count us in, Penny.” I looked down at Brooklyn. She nodded in agreement.

“Brooklyn, would you like a hot shower? And you can borrow some of my clothes to sleep in.”

Brooklyn was still in a towel with the Locatelli Hotel logo on it, with her father’s jacket draped around her shoulders.

“Penny,” Brooklyn said. “I’m so sorry about ruining your birthday. I don’t even know what to say.”

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