Page 43 of Dark Surrender

“Oh. So, you know everything about them? I was sellin’ organs for Penelope’s dad.”

“What?”

“I got in too deep. Made some terrible fuckin’ choices.”

“And our kids almost lost their dad.”

“They wouldn’t have cared, Kali. Fog hates me, and Tarek’s still pissed I left Abby, even though it was for her own good. You said so yourself.”

“Just because you’re an asshole doesn’t mean we want you dead.”

“Doesn’t it?”

“No.”

Not wanting to argue with her over semantics, since it doesn’t matter anyhow, I change the subject. “I need to talk to Pops.”

“Dark.”

“We’re done here. Thank you for givin’ me a place to stay. I’m sorry you got dragged into this. I’ll do what I can to get out of your hair as soon as I can.”

Rolling her eyes heavenward, Kali tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and grumbles a slew of angry expletives under her breath, most of which are her cussing me out, before gripping her crystal necklace to calm down. It’s a thing she does. A lot of breathing techniques and crystals, and earth-loving, tree-hugging stuff. It’s always been her way, and it’s one of the many reasons why I fell in love with her. Though, looking at her now, not only as my ex-wife, but stepmom, too… yeah…Try that headfuck on for size. She’s both the mother of my sons and their step-grandma. Ha. Our family is a goddamn mess of relationships. But we’re not a one-size-fits-all, and it works, however it works.

Anywho…

As I was sayin’…

My longing for Kali has officially hit the road. Sure, she’s stunning. Smart. A firecracker and pretty goddamn perfect, but my obsession—to see her, hear her, touch her, fight with her, fuck her—has poofed. I dunno when it happened, but I’m cured. Alright, so cured might not be the right word, but I’m goin’ with it.

I’m cured of loving my ex-wife in an unhealthy way.

See. Growth and shit.

I have no desire to fight her, and my dick hasn’t risen to the occasion in her presence, which he used to do pretty much every time she opened her mouth.

Kali stomps her foot. “Dark.”

“Eh?”

“Did you hear a thing I just said?”

“No.”

On a low, feminine growl, she throws her hands in the air. The bangles around her wrist clink with the motion. “You are the most stubborn son of a bitch.”

“I wouldn’t call your husband a bitch, and aren’t you my new step-mommy now?”

“Dark!”

“What? I’m just sayin’. Where’s Pops anyway?”

“Giving you space.”

“To what? Lie in bed? I’m already doin’ that.” I pat the mattress for emphasis.

She stares up at the ceiling like it’s gonna give her help. “Mother Earth, please grant me the strength not to strangle this man.”

“You can strangle me if ya want. I won’t object. I definitely deserve it.”