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Then he said one final word, “Granted.”
His touch turned hot, tingling against my flesh.I gasped at the sensation, then the feeling was gone, and so was Harry.
His head fell back and I didn’t worry about being composed any longer.I pulled his head to my chest and sobbed my heart out.“Oh, Harry, I’m sorry.I’m so so sorry.Please Harry.Come back…”
ChapterTwo
TANIA
The next week passed in a blur of pain.The magical council ruled Harry’s death a suicide, which meant he was buried quickly, and with a private funeral service.
It was meant to be family only, but my parents and I muscled our way in.Harry’s parents seemed grateful for the company in the graveyard, though afterwards they didn’t even thank us for attending.
Their son had just died, so part of me understood why they were seemingly so rude.But considering my parents were owed thanks for practically raising their son when they wouldn’t, part of me couldn’t stop being angry at them.
I spent the week with my parents, in their country house an hour out of town.After I’d called the paramedics and they arrived and took away Harry’s body, I’d spent ages scrubbing the white tiles in my foyer to get rid of Harry’s blood.Then I had lay down in the same exact spot and cried for so long the sun had come up and the first of my staff arrived to start their shifts.
Luckily for me, I had great employees.Daniella had scooped me up and forced me back to my apartment for a shower, then told me to take the week off and she’d handle everything.
I checked in once or twice and she did seem to have everything under control.George had sent his condolences and followed up with a report about how the gym was faring.My business was surviving without me, but it was time to go back.I packed my bags and headed out to my parents’ living room.
My mom was there, in her apron and sneakers.“Hey, sweetie.I made breakfast.Come eat.”
By ‘made breakfast’, she meant she’d waved her hands around and conjured up the most magnificent feast imaginable.“Wow Mom, it looks great.”
My mom, unlike me, was a petite little thing with a good deal of magic.I’d gotten my size from my father, who’d played NFL as an enforcer.Even at sixty, he was still fit, and just as big as ever.
Speak of the devil.
“How’s my girl this morning?”Dad asked, walking into the room and putting his arm around my shoulders.“You know you don’t need to go back to the city so soon.Despite the reason you came home, we’ve loved having you here.”
I hugged him back, then sat down at the breakfast table to start eating.My mom was used to cooking for my father, who happened to have a voracious appetite, and that meant the food was freaking delicious and there was always more than enough.
Just for breakfast, I had the choice of bacon and eggs, sausage and tomatoes, waffles and fruit, porridge and buttered toast.And if I didn’t have some of everything, my mom would have had plenty to say about that.
“I’d love to stay,” I told them truthfully, reaching for the platter of bacon and eggs.“I’ve put on five pounds since I got here.”
Not that I cared.What was another five pounds?
My father chuckled.“You’ve gotten too thin.You’re training too hard.”
I rolled my eyes.“Too thin, Dad?That’s a first.”
“Maybe we should get an apartment in the city too,” Mom suggested.“I could bring you food.Make sure you’re looking after yourself.”
I would have laughed, assuming they were joking, but when I glanced up from my breakfast to look at Mom, then my dad, I could tell they really were worried about me.“If you guys want to get an apartment in the city, I’d love to have you around more, but don’t just do it for my sake.”
Mom glanced over at Dad.“Your father misses training.”
Dad coughed loudly, “Oh, well…”
Mom gave him a sweet smile.“It’s okay, sweetheart.I know the quiet life here in the country wasn’t your choice; it was mine.”
Oh my God.They were serious.
I looked at my dad.“There’s a strongman comp in four weeks, Dad.Maybe you could enter and compete?”
Dad grabbed for the waffles.“Oh, no.I’m way past competitions.”
