Page 106 of Sweet Redemption

“You gonna ask her to marry you?” he asks, completely stone-faced.

“I asked once, and she said no.” I think back to that night and every fucked up thing that came after, wishing like hell I could change things. But you can’t change the past. You’ve got to live with it and try not to make the same mistakes in the future. “I’m trying to give her time.”

“You sure that’s the right move?”

“I’m not sure there’s any other move to be made,” I admit. “Sometimes loving someone means trusting them to decide what they can survive.”

Whoever is sitting in front of us grumbles, “Bullshit.”

The fuck?

“She’s too good for you, asshole.” Cohen Kingston turns around, looking pissed as hell.

Because of course her cousin is sitting in front of me. “You think I don’t know that?”

“I don’t give a shit how many points you score. You hurt her, and I’ll break your fucking legs.”

“All right. Let’s calm down, Kingston,” Nixon groans.

“Just stating facts.” The cocky little shit smiles. “And I’m not the worst you’ve got coming for you if you do. My sister and cousins are fucking crazy. You fuck up, and Saylor, Aurora, and Olivia will castrate you slowly, then throw your shit in a mason jar and sit it on the windowsill in the kitchen for everyone to see.”

“Dude,” I choke. “That was graphic.”

“Remind me not to piss off your sister,” Nix stares back at him, a little green.

“Just saying, those girls make me look like nothing.” Cohen smirks, and at least he’s not telling me something I don’t already know.

“Listen, Livvy knows everything,” I admit, and Nixon punches my arm.

“The fuck? What do you mean Livvy knows and your brothers didn’t?”

“I figured it out,” Ares adds from across the aisle as Leo leans around him and smiles like these two assholes have been listening too.

I drag my fingers and thumb across my head, rubbing my temple to fight off the headache these assholes are giving me. “Seriously, I’m tapping out of this conversation. I appreciate everyone looking out for Serena, but I promise you,”—I look between them, glaring—“all of you. There is no one Serena will ever be more safe with than me.”

HENDRIX

Just got off the plane. Heading home now.

Am I going to find you there?

What do I get if I am?

How about I fuck you raw all night long and only come up for air long enough to feed you so I can fuck you some more?

In that case, yes, I’m most definitely in your house.

Naked?

No. You have to bring Bodhi home first.

He’s sleeping at Gracie’s tonight.

I’ll grab him in the morning.

In that case, hurry home, Superman.

I like the sound of that.