Page 81 of Forged in Rain

“Oh, Cyn,” I breathe, tears filling my eyes. He chuckles and wipes the first away before turning me to my back and leaning over me. “I’ll never let you go. Never.”

Shivering under the ferocity of his vow, I nod and lean up to kiss him, moaning when he grabs my cheeks and deepens the kiss. Before too long, he’s stretching me painfully, and we rock together, staring into each other’s eyes until we finish. All the while, I pulse for him, and I think he feels as I do, too.

∞∞∞

Today’s the day we visit the prison, and Cyn’s been achingly quiet all morning. He chose to drive, and I’m sitting in the back seat with Jig, who’s been tossing out cheesy jokes since we left. It’s clear to see he takes his role as the calming force seriously, and I glance at him with a small smile when he turns his twinkling gaze my way.

He winks at me, and I roll my eyes before meeting Cyn’s stare in the mirror. He’s gazing at me with an expression I don’t understand. My heart jumps, and I smile, gratified when his lip pulls up at the corner before he focuses back on the road.

I tried to talk him out of this, but he flat out refused to entertain me, and now here we are, flying down the road while he sinks into himself, and I feel him pull further away from me. I don’t know what to do to bring him back, and I hope once we’re on the other side of this task, he’ll come back.

I’ve obviously never been to a prison before, so it’s with a good dose of curiosity that I look around when we pull up to the first set of gates, and we’re advised where to park. Razor wire surrounds the property, encompassing dull brown buildings and several towers spread throughout. When I look closely, I see guards with massive-ass guns and sigh.

This is where Cyn’s dad is. How many times has Cyn come here to see him behind bars? Fuck.

“Wait here,” Cyn says gruffly after he’s parked. I open my mouth to protest, but Bastion looks back at me and shakes his head, so I slam it closed and watch Cyn walk away in frustration.

As soon as he’s gone, I glance back at Bastion, who says gruffly, “You’re not on the list. You couldn’t go in anyway.”

“Oh. How long has his dad been here?”

“Four years,” Jig interjects, glancing at the hideous walls with a furrowed brow.

“What’s he going to be like when he comes back?” I ask no one in particular.

“A grumpy bear. Just give him space,” Bastion mutters, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

Sticking my tongue out at his head, I mimic him and close my eyes. Visions of Cyn and me last night dance over my vision, and I’m dozing with a smile when my phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s the one Iris gave me because Cyn’s is busted on the road somewhere, and we haven’t had time to replace it.

Apparently, they don’t have an endless supply hanging out in their glove box. Who knew?

Since the only people I want to talk to are here, I glance at the screen warily, my pulse stuttering to see Pam’s name on the banner.

Shit. Licking my lips, I answer quietly. “Hello?”

“Rain,” her husky voice fills the line. For a moment, I’m filled with warmth because this is my aunt. I’ve loved her since I can remember, but on the wings of that is terror because I’m afraid of what’s coming from her next.

“Yes, yeah?”

“You haven’t been home. What’s going on?”

“I’m—um, Pam . . . I’m not coming home,” I say quietly, glancing at Jig with wide eyes when his head swings my way. Bastion sits up in the front seat, and I begin to sweat under their combined scrutiny.

“I see. Any reason why?” Her tone is reasonable; she’s not accusatory, and nothing seems out of the ordinary, but the hair on my arms rises anyway.

“Well,” I say, swallowing to drum up some damn spit. “I’m—I . . .”

Shaking my head, I suck in air and blurt, “I’m in love, and I’m staying with him.”

“Is this the young man who came to the door?”

Bewildered, I stare at the phone before answering in the affirmative. Nothing about this conversation is right, and yet, she’s not said a damn thing to make me believe it’s wrong.

“Yes.”

“Your parents wanted you to stay with me,” she says softly, but I hear the disapproval in her tone.

“I know, and I am going to school, Pam. I just, I love him,” I say lamely.

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