“They’re like me, Mira. Solitary, patient, unforgiving when crossed. But once they claim something, they don’t let go.” He smirked.
A shiver ran down my spine at the way he chose his words. His words weren’t just about the owls; they somehow resonated with me. The bed dipped as I blinked my eyes then opened them. Grand sat right at the edge of the bed then turned towards me.
“I—I’m sorry to hear that. We have something in common.” I replied sadly.
“What do we have in common?” His brows bunched up then went back normal.
“I never knew my father or who he was but…” I took a deep breath then released it slowly.
“My mom died when I was thirteen. I wish I had family there to support me. Instead, I—” I stopped talking feeling my throat close up.
I jumped hard, feeling his hand land on the top of my knee. He didn’t react to the fear that I displayed when he touched me. He looked calm like he was used to getting this reaction out of people whenever he was near. He rubbed the top of my knee quietly as I fought through my own emotions. Kenric lifted his hand then ran it through my thick hair.
I was shocked at how much relief the simple gesture brought me. His strong fingertips pressed into my scalp with ease as I closed my tear-filled eyes letting the tears that I was holding go.
“Instead, you what Mira?” He asked softly.
“Besides my violin that my mom gave me on my birthday…I felt all alone. I didn’t understand what it was I did to be left with no support when mom was all I had. When she was alive, she’d bring me around family on special occasions. I thought that they loved me from the way they acted at family events… Then at her funeral, I listened to them discuss how I wasn’t much of a benefit to keep…how they didn’t have space or the time to raise me. I ended up in the system lost, lonely and fighting all the time.” I released the sob that I had been holding lowly.
I leaned into his hand and shivered; my soul begged me for some sort of release. He shifted his massaging movements into kneading his fingers throughout my scalp. I felt the warmth of it and relaxed for the first time in weeks.
“I never found true happiness after my mom died… I found temporary relief and made the mistake of depending on Darius for that happiness in love that I desperately missed and craved from my mother.”
Me admitting that made more tears spill from my eyes. I felt a twinge of embarrassment but couldn’t help myself. I rushed to wipe my tears away roughly only to be stopped by Grand. Hegrabbed both of my hands and held them in front of me shaking his head no.
“It’s best to let it all out, take deep breaths while you do it.” He said never releasing my hands.
“Nothing is wrong with you; you’ve been moving through life trying to find a purpose…feeling like you have nothing to live for. You were innocent in everything. Most people turn cold after enduring certain traumas. Don’t continue to let it shape you into someone you’re not able to recognize, Mira.” His raspy voice sounded soothing as I took in every word that he said.
He surprised me next by letting my hands go and wrapping his huge muscular arms around my body. The security, scent and hardness of his body brought me comfort. I closed my eyes and released my tears in the comforts of his arms while inhaling his scent.
“Pain turned me into a person that survives off the fear of others. Fear is a stupid thing to have, yet people are quick to feel it. I don’t mind being the bad guy, I have a purpose to complete before I die.”
I felt his chest rise and fall rapidly, his heart rate sped up. Unable to help myself, I placed my arms around him and tried to hold his muscular body to mines as tight as he held me. Grand stiffened then relaxed with my arms wrapped around him seconds later. I kept my eyes shut tightly as I listened to the beat of his heart. I could tell that his heart was broken, never repaired.
I thought about how much he must have gone through being alone in the streets and wondered what made him kidnap me. What was the purpose in that? My body tensed as his deep voice filled my ears.
“I’m the villain in everybody’s story Mira. I accept it and bask in that shit. My purpose is to try to heal as many people aspossible by force in order to make them see the power that lies within them.”
I trembled against him; I know he felt it because his grip on me loosened a little.
“How do you help by selling drugs?” I asked calmly.
“I don’t sell the type of drugs that make people overdose.” He sighed making my brows rise.
“I’m enjoying you in my arms right now…when we are done having this moment…I’ll take you on a short tour after you shower. I’ll have to have one of my men bring me some sort of cuffs first.” His body vibrated against my body as he talked.
“Why cuffs?” I opened my eyes.
“Just in case your pretty thick ass tries to run and get lost inside of my grand building.” He said it with amusement in his tone.
I opened my eyes and looked up at him, Grand placed a kiss on the top of my forehead, I felt power in the simple peck. I inhaled him deeply then released the breath that I took in. I rested my head against his chest and felt the weight of his chin resting on top of my wild hair.
“I don’t mind hunting you down, Mira. It would be entertaining, it’s just that I haven’t slept in three days. I woke up and trained all morning; my energy is depleted. I’d hate to have to punish you again.” He tightened his grip on me.
“I don’t like your punishments.” I shivered thinking back to the first punishment I received on behalf of arriving late for him and his so-called dangerous looking guest.
“Darius was a punishment waiting to happen. I was disappointed that I had to kill him so suddenly. You’re welcome by the way.” He stated.
