To Donovan.
And as much as some of it sucked, I can’t hate how things turned out.
I’ve found someone who loves me, and I love him with everything I have in me. We have a strange patchwork family, and we all look out for one another.
I’ve never been happier in my life.
“Ready?” Donovan asks as he gives my hand a squeeze.
“Goodbye,” I whisper, tears leaking out of my eyes. I’m glad I have most of my memories of my mother back, but it only makes this harder.
I let Donovan lead me away. I’m sad, but I know I’ll be okay.
When we get to the car, he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t rush me to get in. He just wraps me in his arms and holds me until I’m ready to go.
I don’t know what my life would be like without him, and I hope I never have to find out.
Donovan
“Who’s that?” Astra asks as she takes the seat at the table to my left, her eyes on the man standing in the corner of the courtyard.
“New guy,” I say as I motion for him to come closer with a jerk of my chin. He doesn’t hesitate, stopping a few feet away from the table. I take a sip of my coffee, praising Lucille in myhead for her magical nectar. No one makes a cup like her. “Meet Amant. Your new bodyguard.”
He wins points when he glances at her long enough to respectfully nod. Any longer, and I might have taken his eyes.
This might work out after all.
“Um, no,” she says. “Andre is mine.”
Andre and Torrin both snort, while Fabien’s body jerks in my peripheral vision like he’s trying not to laugh. I cut my eyes over to Torrin sitting on my other side, since he’s the only one of my two men I can lay eyes on at the moment. I know Andre can feel my glare, though.
The miracle ofAndre being alivehas turned into the miracle ofAndre being able to walk without any trouble. I have my eye on Fabien. I think there’s more at play here. I won’t push him, but I will say I’m very curious to know exactly what is going on. For now, I’m just thankful Andre is okay.
I grit my teeth at Astra’s response.
How did I know this was going to happen?
She’s going to get what she wants because I won’t tell her no, but it really sucks thatI’mgoing to lose Andre. He’s basically my third in command. Now, I’m going to have to shift shit around and figure out what I’m going to do with Amant.
I should stand up to her. Make this our first real fight.
But…
I fucking can’t.
I love her enough to give her Andre. I love her enough to give her the damn world.
“That’s not happening,” I say instead of giving in right away. Hey, I have to keep up appearances, especially if I’m going to permanently add this guy to my team. Can’t have him thinking his boss is a softie when it comes to her, even if it’s the fucking truth.
Fabien mutters something about needing more coffee. He’s dashing off with the French Press in his grasp. If only he knew I was laughing on the inside.
I can feel her eyes on me.
Torrin reaches across the table and steals a grape from Astra’s bowl. I’d glare at him if this hadn’t become a thing they do. Any minute now, she’s going to start tossing fruit across the way for him to catch in his mouth.
I both love and hate how they’ve become so close. Well, mostly love, if I’m being honest.
Astra fits right in here, with me and my fucked-up world. She’s really made us all a damn family.
