Page 111 of Sweet Vengeance
I open my eyes, study the music in front of me. One song leads to two, then three—fromFür ElisetoClair de Luneto Rachmaninoff’sPiano Concerto No. 2. We always played classical music—my mom and me. They were always her favorite.
When I’m done, everyone claps, and though I roll myeyes, I appreciate it.
We have a drink together afterward, Rory bouncing around, full of energy.
It’s not long after Ollie and I are in bed, still awake, that there’s a soft knock at the door.
“It’s me,” Rory says, and I frown, worried something’s wrong.
“Come in.” I sit up on the side of the bed, Ollie doing the same behind me.
Rory opens the door and startles. “Wow. Nice welcome, but sorry, can’t hook up with the two of you tonight. I have plans.” He looks at Ollie. “Do you have an extra box of the butt-cleaning stuff?”
“What?” Ollie shouts. “Oh my God! Why are you asking me that?”
“Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how fucking blissed out you looked when Cillian was dicking you down.”
“Jesus, Ror,” I groan.
“What? It’s true. Anyway, I’m curious about it. It looks fun. I found this guy on an app who wants to top me. We’re meeting at a hotel in a bit, but I don’t want any surprises, ya know?”
Only fucking Rory, and I can’t help but love him for it.
“Under the sink,” I tell him.
“Are you sure?” Ollie asks, following him into the bathroom.
“Abso-fucking-lutely. I should try everything once, right?” He grabs the box.
“Be careful, and if you change your mind, that’s okay. Oh, and your location is on, right?” Ollie coddles.
“Our locations are always on for each other. I won’t change my mind, but if I do, I’m not doing shit. And if hedoesn’t like it, I’ll shoot him between the eyes.” He lifts his shirt to show the gun there.
“Oh…well, I’m not sure you should go that far,” Ollie says.
“I’ll be fine, Bunny. But I love that you care.” He kisses Ollie’s temple, comes over and bumps my fist, and then he’s gone.
“That was…unexpected,” Ollie says.
“That’s Rory.” I nod toward the bed. “Come here.”
Ollie doesn’t have to be asked twice, climbing into bed to straddle me. “There’s never gonna be a boring moment in our lives, will there?”
“No…you good with that?”
I feel him smile against my lips. “Surprisingly, yes. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
EPILOGUE
Cillian
December
I’m gonna puke.
I fidget, looking out my window seat in first class at the expanse below.
I try to remember if I’ve ever felt this nervous or scared about anything, and I don’t think I have, and that’s because nothing else has ever mattered more.
