Page 149 of Masked Sins
Relief surges through me, and I blink back the sudden sting in my eyes. “Thank you, Scott. It means the world to me that you approve.”
He clears his throat, pretending to be casual, but I can see the emotion tugging at the corners of his eyes. “Just make sure you don’t screw it up, alright? She’s my girl.”
“I won’t,” I promise, my voice firm with conviction. “I’ll take care of her. Always.”
Scott nods again, his hand still gripping my shoulder as if to cement the deal, then lets go with a sigh. “And if this recent health scare has taught me anything, it’s that I wouldn’t minda couple of sproggets running around in the back yard someday soon?—”
“One step at a time, big guy.” I let out a relieved laugh.
“Don’t make me wait too long.”
I shrug and smile. “It’s entirely up to her. I won’t rush her.”
“I know you won’t.”
After a quick goodbye, I linger for a moment outside the house that means so much to me, staring at the sky, feeling the weight of the future settle in, but this time it feels right. A life with Layla. The thought fills me with hope for the very first time in my life.
And maybe, just maybe, the future he hinted at—sproggets and all—doesn’t seem so far away anymore.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
THE LIBRARY
Layla
My eyes find Orion’s the instant I lift my head from my curtsy. He’s in the front row, clapping and hollering. My stomach flutters as he cups his mouth and whistles, pride showing on his face.
“Interesting development,” Raphael says as we walk backstage a minute later. He turns to face me with a smirk. “I still don’t forgive him for punching me, but I get it now.”
“Get what?”
“He’s in love with you.”
He walks away whistling, and I’m too stunned to speak.
By the time I get to my dressing room, my heart is pounding in my chest.In love with me?I turn the handle, and I nearly gasp when I see Orion leaning against the vanity. He’s wearing his leather jacket, black pants, and his boots.
His motorcycle helmet sits on my pink vanity.
“How’d you get back here?” I ask, breathless.
After closing the door, I bend down to untie my pointe shoes, but Orion takes a step forward.
“Don’t. Leave them on.”
I snap my head up, and he’s right in front of me now.
“Orion—”
He tugs me forward in my full costume, his lips crashing against mine. I don’t ask about his father as Stella told me Charles Ravage passed away earlier today, and that all five brothers were present.
But I don’t know how he’s feeling about it all. I don’t know what he wants or needs, so I ask him.
“I need you,” he rasps, scruff rough against my face. “And God, I’ve always wanted to rip your costume off.”
“Then do it.” His eyes darken, and as he takes a step closer, reality sets in. “Wait. Don’t actually rip anything off,” I tell him, laughing. “The seamstresses will kill you.”
“Very well.” Taking several steps closer, he backs me up against the door. “Then strip.”
