I nod.
But how can I ever be okay?
My mother’s brains are splattered over the crisp white bedsheets, and my father is howling as blood pours from a wound in his stomach.
“Is she dead?” The words come out emotionless.
In truth, I’m not sure what to feel.
Massio’s lip quirks. “Yeah, baby, she’s dead.”
“You slept with her,” I whisper, hating how vulnerable I sound.
Massio drops his head, then moves to sit on the bed beside me. “I was married to her as a teenager, Thea.” He shakes his head.
My breath hitches. “Was I always just revenge for you?”
Hurt sparks in his eyes as he reaches over the bed to take my hands in his. “I was a dumb kid, but I can with all honesty tellyou I’ve never felt about anybody the way I feel about you. You’re everything to me, baby, and I promise I’m going to show you. I just need you to give me that chance.” The sincerity pours from him in unadulterated waves.
My heart swells, and my throat becomes drier than ever before. Am I an idiot for wanting to believe him?
“Please?” he mumbles as his thumb brushes over my skin.
“No more secrets?” I whisper.
“None,” he says with confidence.
“No more lies.”
“Absolutely no more,” he confirms.
He cups my face in the palms of his thick hands. “You, my little brat, are my everything. Now it’s time I show you.”
EPILOGUE
MASSIO
I don’t want to be here.
I want to be at home with my wife, cradling her pregnant stomach while I make love to her from behind and toy with her nipples.
But duty calls.
It’s opening night, and although it’s been the very success that Miko predicted, it’s also been a lot.
“You’re wanting to leave.” Jensen chuckles while scanning my face. Since the fucker returned this week, he’s done nothing but taunt me about my dependency on Thea, despite him not realizing he has one of his own. He will realize it, soon, very fucking soon.
I lift a shoulder. “I don’t like leaving my pregnant wife for long.”
“You go on a honeymoon soon though; you’ll get to spend all the time you want with her.” He doesn’t get it; if I had my way, she’d be here with me tonight, but the idea of not being ableto keep a close eye on her coupled with her recovery, I knew it wasn’t the best move.
I don’t inform him I’ll be away longer than I first intended. I have some making up to do with Thea. She needs my attention and reassurance, and I fully intend on doing just that. He’s spent too long away from home, so now he will have the responsibility of the warehouse to make up for his absence.
Jesus, I sound like Sal.
“Last fight.” He points toward the pit, and I narrow my eyes on a familiar figure. One that most definitely should not be in the arena.
Fenton.
