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If she’s asking, she already has her suspicions. “It was...mostly self-defense.”
“Do I want to know?” She quirks a brow.
“Only if you’re really fucked up.”
“Then we’ll schedule a coffee date and you can tell me all about it.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
SAINT
The day I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived—the day Briar comes home with me. To our home.
If possible, the repairs to Nicholson Manor have made the estate even more radiant. Or maybe it’s simply my muse’s arrival that has increased its splendor.
We donated most of Briar’s furniture, so it takes us no time at all to move the rest of her belongings. Books, clothes, blankets, Cookie’s toys. Cecilia’s already in tears before we’ve even moved the final box inside.
Briar rolls her eyes as Mack and Cecilia both hug her with tears streaming down their cheeks. “I’m literally still in the same state. You can visit anytime.”
“These are happy tears,” Cecilia wails. “I’m so happy for you!”
“Just wait until the wedding,” I tease.
Cecilia’s eyes widen and Briar plots my murder. “Oh my gosh! Are you two?—”
“No, we’re not engaged.” Briar flips me off behind her head so her mother can’t see.
“Soon, though, right?” Mack glances between us.
I smirk in my muse’s direction. “If she says yes.”
I know exactly when and how I plan to propose. I’m certain when I do, she’ll say yes.
Then we’ll truly start our lives together.
“Okay.” Mack pulls away from Briar, swiping beneath her eyes. “I’m officially leaving so I don’t have to help you unpack.”
Cecilia gives Briar one final squeeze. “I’ll let you two get settled in.” When she releases her daughter, my future mother-in-law gives me a warm smile before wrapping me in a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you two.”
Briar is misty-eyed while we wave them off. When they’re out of sight, she blinks quickly and clears her throat. “Time to bite the bullet. I’m going to call my father.”
I don’t ask why. Simply accept the hand she holds out to me and allow her to guide me as she ambles toward the cemetery. A prickle of panic tingles along the back of my neck.
“Yes, it’s me,” Briar says into the phone. “I’m only calling to inform you that I moved. So you can’t show up at my old address unannounced again or someone will call the police on you.”
We’re in front of the wrought iron fence that guards the private cemetery.
Where Trevor attempted to bury me alive.
The unfamiliar ghostly hand of panic wraps around my throat.
I’m back in that early grave, soil sifting and hissing around me. A muffled scream breaking through the feet of dirt above my head. The desperation to claw my way out, to get back to my muse before I lost her forever. Her voice echoing in my head, calling out to me as I failed to protect her from the monster trying to kill her.
But it was Mack screaming. They both made it out alive. We all did.
Briar keeps her voice brusque, formal. “Saint and I will probably be getting married soon. You’re welcome to attend the wedding if you want, but I’m only inviting you because I’m a better person than you are. This isn’t a permanent invitation into my life, so after the wedding, I want nothing more to do with you. You took Saint’s mother from him. To avenge a man who tried to hurt him. Who probably hurt other children. And you hurt my mom. You hurt me. So I’ll never bring myself to forgive you. You can accept that, come to the wedding, and stay out of my life. Or you can choose to stay out now, for good. Your choice. Goodbye.”
When she hangs up, I swallow the lump in my throat and squeeze her hand. “I’m proud of you.”
