Page 115 of Heartless
“Until I fucking pass out, kitten.”
Her full lips stretched over her white teeth, but before carrying her to bed, I wanted to clear something else.
“Baby, do you trust me to keep you safe?”
She tilted her head to the side.“Yes, I do.Why?”
“Every time you’re scared, you look for Sile.”
Tenderness softened her gaze, and I forced my body loose.“Silas is the first and only man who’s offered to protect me without expecting anything from me in return.And he’s kind and funny, and just...an awesome person.”She smiled.“But you know that.”
I did.Didn’t stop my gut from fucking burning.I took her mouth.Long and deep.
****
Bent over my father’sbed, I touched his white hair.The staff had given him a fresh haircut.
“I’ve got our home back, Pa.”My throat tightened, and I swallowed hard.“And I get it now.What it’s been like to survive the death of the light of your life.”I kissed his head.“I love you, Pa.”
I straightened up.The simmering rage was gone, and for the first time in years, I breathed easy.I touched the urn.“Love you, Ma.”
Dr.Nuys, standing at the end of the corridor outside the room with a clipboard in her hand, smiled.“Oh hello, Jake.How are you?”
“Leslie.”
The woman’s head jerked back.I was nearly at the front entrance when she called my name, and I pivoted to watch her rushing toward me.
“Next week is the yearly dinner for the residents and their families, and I was wondering if you would like to join us this year.”I was about to decline, like I’d done every year, and she added, “I know it might seem awkward or unusual since James is unconscious, but it’s a fun evening.Mr.Xavier and Ms.Farrell are, of course, welcome.”
“I’m good.Thanks.”
I started toward my truck, on my way to Sienna.I was fucking better than good.
****
Sienna
In the wide but short hallway of my new apartment, Bianca hugged me.“Take care, cara.I’ll call you when I land in London.”
Tautening my arms around her, I nodded while trying not to burst into tears.Jake, Silas, Camila, and Bianca had helped me move into the cozy condo.
We’d worked tirelessly since six this morning, and except for my books, we’d unpacked everything.The men had taken care of the furniture while we had unpacked my boxes and washed the bed linen.Camila had filled my tiny pantry and the fridge with food, making the apartment into my new home.
I hadn’t had that much stuff to move, and the movers Jake had hired had been uber-efficient, so at nearly eleven, we were done.
Silas was going to drive Camila and Bianca to Jake’s house then take Bianca to the airport.
And now, I was saying goodbye to my friends.I didn’t want to.I actually hated it.So much.
As Bianca pulled back and cupped my face with gentle hands, I forced a smile, which didn’t stop a tear running over her fingers.
“I’m sorry.I’m just tired.”
Bianca, as I was learning, didn’t let me hide behind the white lie.“You’re sad because you and I are becoming friends, and you’ve recently been abandoned by everyone you loved.Be sad.I’m sad, but I’m also happy because now, I have you in my life.And I wish my artist wasn’t such a spoiled baby, so we would have more time together instead of flying to London to nanny him.”
“I’m going to miss you.”
She touched my forehead with her own.“Me too.I’ll call you.And we’ll text.”
