Page 190 of Lust & Lies
“You wouldn’t dare,” his grandfather hissed.
“Try me.” Aiden pulled his gun from its holster and pointed it at his grandfather’s head. “Mention their daughter again,” Aiden dared.
I’d never loved that man more than I loved him in that moment.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
NOELANI
THE COLOR DRAINED FROMMr. Park’s face as he stared down the barrel of Aiden’s gun. Once he realized his grandson was serious, the old man’s shoulders sagged, and he slumped in his seat, looking completely defeated. It was a sight to behold. Aiden lowered his arm, returning his weapon to its holster.
“From now on, stay in your room,” Aiden told him. “Meals will be brought to you. No phones. No laptops. No communication. We’ve even hired someone to bathe you. And don’t try to convince her to betray us. She may end up killing you. Her husband was one of those Watchdogs whose deaths you’re responsible for. As for your estate, it will be managed by Dolores and Tomas, our people.”
“You fucking ingrates!” Mr. Park whispered, seeming depleted of energy.
“You can fume all you want,” Sam told him. “But this is your life now. You’ve taken so much from everyone in this room. You deserve to be alone. You deserve time to sit and think about everything you’ve done wrong. Just know this, we’ll leave the forgiving part to the Almighty. My wife and I will never forgive you for what you’ve taken from us.”
“I hope you rot in that room,” Gertrude told him. “I’m going to order the guards to put up pictures of everyone you’ve hurt on the walls. And you’ll be tied down, unable to take them down.May their spirits torment you while you’re in seclusion. May their faces be the last thing you see before you die. Rot in hell, Mr. Park.”
A tear trailed down Mr. Park’s cheek, the first I’d ever seen him shed.
I stepped forward to peer into his eyes, enjoying this look on him.
“This is what victory looks like,” I told him. “This is real power. This is love. This is loyalty. This...” I stared around the room. “This is family. Get used to seeing it, because I’m going to stop by to tell you about every milestone we hit, every joy we encounter. I’m going to constantly let you know we’re living well as you rot away in your bedroom, you wretched man.”
Mr. Park’s eye twitched, his lower lip trembling as more tears spilled down his cheeks. Yes, this was so much better than killing him. I smiled brightly as the people I loved stood around me, supporting me.
This was indeed what love and loyalty looked like. Love had won. I thought about calling my sister, just to let her know Mr. Park could no longer hurt us. But the petty in me wouldn’t let me do it.
I wanted her to stay on the run, stay looking over her shoulder. She deserved even worse than that. But for now, that would be her punishment. A lifetime of fearing Mr. Park’s retaliation. A lifetime of hiding. A lifetime of fear, unable to use her real name ever again.
I stared over at Aiden. “I’m ready to go home, honey.”
My man swept me off my feet. “Your wish is my command, princess.”
He carried me from the office. I didn’t miss the way Gertrude smiled at us, happy tears shimmering in her eyes.
“You two have one day of alone time before I’m coming over to hang out with Noelani,” Ethan called out.
I laughed as Aiden carried me out of the room, leaving Tristan and the others behind to ensure that his grandfather was properly locked away.
“Are you okay, love?” Aiden asked, walking down the stairs with me in his arms.
I rested my head on his chest. “I’m more than okay. I’m with the man I love. The people I love are safe, healthy, and happy. I have my name back. There’s nothing more I can ask for. Other than maybe... to end this two-week dick drought.”
Aiden chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m going to rain all over you when we get home,” my savage told me.
Laughing, I snuggled closer to him.
“We’re never going to be apart again,” he whispered.
“Never,” I vowed, ready to begin my happily ever after with him.
Aiden took me home, back to our country estate, where we belonged. He showered with me, washing away the blood splatter, even washing my hair for me. And when he was done, he dried me off and carried me to bed.
He laid me down in the center of the bed like I was the most precious thing he’d ever held. His hands didn’t leave me, not for a second. One slid along my thigh while the other smoothed over my waist. His eyes roamed my naked body like he’d been starving and I was the only thing on the menu.
“I missed this,” he whispered, climbing between my legs, settling his body on top of mine. “Missed the way you taste. The way you feel. Missed watching you fall apart for me. I’ve been missing my brown sugar.”
