She smiles. “Your father would be proud,” she says before she hugs me. She then steps aside for Noelle to take her place.
I gather my woman into my arms, then reach for Zack. “You too, kid.” I hold them tight.
Tonight’s events nearly took everything from me, and I make a silent vow never to allow it happen again. “Let’s go home,” I say, my voice filled with relief and determination.
Two Days Later
The air in the room is thick with the stench of days-old garbage and sour beer from the empty cans riddling the floor. It sickens me that Zack lived in this hell hole. I lean against the back of the sofa, with a cigarette resting between my fingers. Every tick of the clock magnifies my resolve. I made a promise, and I intend to keep it.
My thoughts wrap around Noelle and her brother’s impact on my life in such a short time. They both deserve better than the life they were given, and I plan to be the one who gives it to them. I take a drag of the cigarette, pulling the nicotine into my lungs and holding it there until it burns before exhaling. I watch the smoke curl from my cigarette. Beams from headlights flood the living room with light as a vehicle pulls into the driveway.
Seconds later, I’m hidden in the shadows again.
A gun in my hand.
Waiting.
I listen as Rob fumbles with keys to unlock the door before it finally swings open. He quickly closes it behind him and stumbles through the living room to the kitchen. Rob opens the fridge, cracks a beer, then tilts his head back and chugs it down. Then he moves down the hall toward the bathroom, where I hear him taking a piss. I stub the remnants of my cigarette into the ashtray on the coffee table and wait. It’s not long before Rob stumbles back into the living room. The asshole turns on a nearby lamp, his eyes widening when he finds me sitting on the sofa.
“Who the fuck are you?” He slurs his words.
I raise my weapon, aiming at his chest. “Death.”
I pull the trigger.
EPILOGUE
CHRISTMAS DAY
Noelle
“Jesus, fuck,” Torin hisses.
I was woken this morning with Torin’s face between my legs, and after he made me come, we switched positions, so now I’m riding his cock while chasing my second orgasm. “I love having you inside me,” I rasp.
“Lean back, baby. I want to watch your pussy take my cock like a good girl.”
As told, I arch my back and place my hands behind me on Torin’s legs. With his back resting against the headboard, Torin palms my ass cheeks and proceeds to help guide my rhythm. “There is no better sight than seeing your tight pussy stretched around my cock.”
Torin learned early on in our lovemaking that his talking dirty is my undoing. Hearing him speak filthy things does something to me. He knows his effect on me, which is why when we are working, he comes up behind me and whispers in myear the things he wants to do to me when we get home. Then I’m walking around all night with soaked panties. Sometimes, he makes me wait. Other times, all I have to do is tell him how wet I am, and he’s dragging me off to his office.
“I’m close.”
“Fuck, I can feel. I need you to get there, baby.” Torin brushes his thumb against my clit.
That’s all it takes.
“Torin!” I cry as my orgasm begins to wrack my body.
Torin’s grip on me tightens, and he pulls my body flush against his. His mouth crashes against mine as he follows with his own release.
My body goes slack against his chest, and I feel our heartbeats align at that moment. It’s as though they are beating as one.
“Do you feel that?” I whisper.
“I feel it,” Torin whispers back.
“Merry Christmas, Torin.”