Page 108 of Exile
Damon puts his hands in his trouser pockets. "To answer your previous question about what happens next—I've got that sorted."
"Oh?" I ask, eyebrows shooting up.
He nods. "The trust has been immediately released back to me, along with my mother's possessions. If you're up to it, I have a house ready. It needs a bit of work since it's been vacant since her death, but it's big enough for all of us."
"All of us," I repeat, chest tightening in wishful thinking as I glance at Theo and Grey. "The four of us?"
Grey laughs, throwing his hands up. "I know. I gotta live with that asshole," he nods toward Theo. "But I think we'll manage."
"Until I suffocate you in your sleep," Theo bites back.
Ignoring them, I walk into Damon's arms, pulling him into a hug. "I go where you go," I tell him. "I'll follow you three to the depths of hell and back. Oh, that's right. I did…"
Walking into the large white house, my jaw practically scrapes along the ground.
It's beautiful. Perfect.
On the outskirts of town, the house is surrounded by green pastures, large trees and gorgeous gardens. The back of the house overlooks paddocks, and further back there's a small pond, little ripples floating along the surface in the wind.
I'm captivated by the chandelier in the open plan kitchen, fingers grazing the pastel blue walls as I'm given a tour of my new home.
Apparently, Damon has spent the past few weeks getting it ready for us, hiring tradesmen and gardeners. It's been sitting abandoned since he was forced into Lilydale, Alexander opting for a more modern, luxurious penthouse in the city on Lily's dime. Which… now belongs to Damon too. Turns out Alexander's precious Will was deemed invalid due to his actions, the court awarding everything to Damon as his only living child.
There's a strange feeling swirling in my stomach that knowing the real Lily Emerson-Dale lived here. Like my old house, this home is full of memories too. When Damon gives me a tour, I notice an empty room upstairs, the walls ripped apart with holes in them, the carpet partially ripped up and no furniture in sight.
Indents in the remaining carpet resemble the legs of a desk and it doesn't take me long to put two and two together—Alexander's office.
I guess Damon is more like me than we thought. Except instead of burning down the house, he's completely smashed this room to smithereens and is rebuilding it. Probably a better option in hindsight…
"We each have our own rooms," Damon tells me, opening the door to a large bedroom, completely full of new furniture. The smell of fresh paint reaches my senses, the lavender color doing nothing to stop the excitement rushing through me. So much for a calming color.
I head over to a set of large double doors, gasping when I discover they open onto a balcony. I must be above the kitchen, because I have the same perfect view of the grassy fields, my hair billowing in the gentle breeze.
"This is mine?" I ask, leaning back into him as he curls his arms around me.
He nods against me. "The other three rooms are next door and across the hallway. Grey is already working on a newASS scheduleas to who gets you every night."
Laughing, I turn to face him. "Do I even get a say?" I joke.
"No," he answers without missing a beat. "Though I'd suggest locking your door. I wouldn't put it past them to sneak in and make an Avery sandwich in the middle of the night."
"I'm not opposed to sandwiches," I say casually. "As long as you sneak in as well."
Damon narrows his eyes with a smirk. "I might just keep a spare key under my pillow."
Grinning, I grab his hand, leading him back downstairs to the living room. It's at the front of the house, with big bay windows and a fireplace to keep us warm. Grey and Theo look up from their spots on the couch as we enter, giving me warm smiles as I curl up on the new fluffy sofa. I could just sleephereand be happy. It feels like a damn cloud.
"What do you think?" Grey asks. "I picked the color for your room."
"It's perfect," I breathe out. "I just can't believe this is our new home."
Theo glances at Damon. "Have you told her the other news yet?"
"What news?" I quickly question, snapping my head around.
Damon leans back against the couch, resting his arms behind his head. "Arthur got arrested," he tells me coolly. "We may have provided footage of him and Teddy. Turns out we were correct. Her body was never released to the coroner—obviously since we had her head. He's been charged with her murder. They finally caught up with him three days ago. Locked up in prison awaiting trial. His ex-wife Rose is also planning to testify about his abusive behavior."
"Please tell me you're not kidding," I bounce up, shuffling to my knees. "My heart can't take it."
