Page 115 of Arranged Obsession
“Why?”
“It’s real now.” I pause before going back into the building. “The shelter is happening. No more planning and pacing around and wondering. I’m doing it.”
“You should be happy.”
“I am, but I’m also scared. I know how important these places are to the people they serve. I don’t want to fuck it up.”
“You won’t.” He kisses me and hugs me tight. “You care, and that’s the most important thing. You’ll do what’s best, and you’ll hire good employees who can handle everything you can’t. I’ll make sure you have all the resources you need.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, real joy mingling with nervous energy. “By the way, I meant to ask. How’s the whole food delivery thing going?”
His eyebrows raise. “Aren’t you technically the CEO?”
“On paper, sure.”
“It’s going good. The Russians are playing nicely for now. Who knows how long that’ll last? But I didn’t think we’d even make it this far, so I could be wrong.”
“Here’s hoping.” I squeeze his hand tightly. Life’s been good ever since the truce. I’ve had real peace of mind, and I’ve been able to concentrate on moving the shelter forward.
It’s only been two months, but they’ve been the best two months of my entire life.
“Let’s head back up. I’ll get you some lunch.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“We both know I’m going to.” He stoops down and breathes me in. “My feather.”
“My ghost.” I grin back at him. “Well, if you’re buying, I’m eating. And hey, go ahead and get yourself something too.”
“How generous.”
“I’m the best, I know.”
Chapter 39
Cormac
Two Months Later
I movethrough my collection of her, idly touching things. Memories come back to me, each one slightly hazy. Bodies, screams, blood. Begging and sobbing and the cold, black quiet afterward.
There’s a strange layer of dust over everything.
Before I married my saint, I spent a lot of time in this room. It calmed me down in a strange way. I found peace in here. I could be close to her, or at least as close as a monster like me should ever get. I never dreamed I’d have more.
Now this room’s barely used.
All the little pieces of who she used to be. Each one linked to a piece of me too. Strange how they seem so small and worthless now.
It’s just a bunch of trash and junk.
“What are you doing up here?” Bianca sounds genuinely curious. Her hair’s up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing sweats.
“Just looking around.”
“Find anything good?” She stands in the doorway, looking inside.
This room scared the hell out of her when she first found it. Now it’s just another part of our life. Only a room.
