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Easing back, Zoe’s eyes drop to where our chests meld together. “I know I shouldn’t have gone behind your back, but I really wanted to fuck with their heads. I really needed that.”
When her eyes dart up to lock with mine, I nod.
“I get it, Zo. And I know you’ll never go behind my back like that again, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I want to know how you’re doing after coming face to face with them again. It can’t have been easy seeing Gunner again.”
A shiver of disgust ripples through her, and I squeeze her tighter, reminding her that she’s safe. I’m here.
“It was… hard. But necessary.” Her eyes brim with tears and she swallows thickly, like she’s trying to dislodge a lump in her throat. “I needed to face them, though. I needed them to see they didn’t break me.”
Reaching up, I swipe away a tear that escapes her eye before cupping her cheek.
“You’re a warrior Zoe Miller. Your mom and Leslie would be so proud.”
“Shit,” she sobs, as more tears spring free. “I really miss them.”
“I know,” I whisper, pulling her in to hug her close.
Running my hand up and down her back, I try to keep her warm as we sit, a tangle of limbs, naked in the living room. I let her cry it out, her sobs relatively quiet as she mourns her family.
What I wouldn’t give to turn back time and decline Brian Miller’s offer to help us with our books. Of course, it wasn’t just me who announced a ‘yay’ at church to bring him on asan associate, but fuck, even one ‘no’ and he wouldn’t have penetrated our ranks.
I wouldn’t have Zoe then, but I also wouldn’t have found out what it’s really like to love and be loved. I would never have known what I was missing.
The past is the past though, and she is mine as much as I am hers, and fuck, that’s a future I can look forward to.
The war is nearly over. All Reapers, bar Rusty, Gunner and Irina are dead, thanks to the coordinated help of Dante and the Diamond Crew. Two of them are being held captive in Cain’s dungeons, while the other is in the wind. For now.
When Zoe’s sobs dry up, I shift with her in my lap and push myself to stand.
She lets out a squeal.
“What are you doing?”
“Relax, Princess. I’m going to grab us a couple of waters and then take us to bed.”
“Oh.” She relaxes, locking her feet behind my back as I ignore our strewn clothes on the floor and walk into the kitchen.
Her lips come to my ear, nibbling on the lobe, which makes me squirm and we both laugh as I stumble to the fridge and tug it open.
“Behave, Princess.” I slap her bare ass.
“Never.” She rasps against my ear, and again I chuckle, reaching in to grab a couple of water bottles before stepping back and closing the fridge door.
Then I freeze.
No.
My eyes widen, fury churning inside my chest as my eyes lock on a photo stuck on the fridge door.
“Gray?” Zoe asks, her voice questioning against my ear, but I can’t fucking speak.
I shake my head, willing my brain to be playing fucking tricks on me, and I blink my eyes closed, only to find the picture still there when I open them.
“Gray. What’s wrong?” Zoe shifts against me, moving to get down, but I grip her tighter.
“No.” I snap, desperately not wanting her to see the picture. Especially after what we just shared together.
My breathing quickens the longer I stare at it, my blood turning to lava, ready for my monster to erupt.
