“And if it meant having you in my life now, I’d go through it all again,” I tell him. “I wouldn’t even need to think about it.”
“I love you, Angel.”
“I love you, too.”
He brushes his nose to mine and peppers kisses to my lips and nose and forehead, making me giggle. He pulls me into his arms as I close my eyes.
For now, I’ve found my peace, and for tonight, I won’t let the dark thoughts ruin it.
CHAPTER 30
Malachi
I’mup late the next morning, and I don’t even fucking care. Exhaustion still sits heavy on my shoulders, like some imp draining my lifeforce. When I shuffle into the living room to see Roman pale face, and Cain yawning his head off, I realize I’m not alone in my tiredness.
“Where’s Ophelia?” I ask.
“Taking a shower,” Cain mutters. “She already said goodbye to my brother and Deacon.”
He’s distracted, and I understand why. He’s lost his father, and no matter how much of a bastard his father was, that shit still hurts.
“Did you enjoy last night?” I’m hoping to change his thoughts from dwelling on the bad things he’s going through, even if only momentarily.
It works because he looks up at me and gives me a shit-eating grin. “I did, thanks for asking.”
I give a rueful smile and try to tamp down my jealousy. “I definitely get to be the one who spends a night alone with Ophelia next.”
The front door opens, and Deacon walks in with Cain’s brother, Samuel.
“We’re about ready to go,” Deacon says.
Cain stands and walks to his brother. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” He enunciates the words clearly so Samuel can read his lips but also moves his hands in sign. “There’s going to be so much to sort out, and I feel guilty leaving you to do it alone.”
Samuel signs something, and Cain nods. “Yeah, I know you’re grown now and you’ll be fine. It’ll just be for a few days, until I’m certain Ophelia is okay, and then I’ll join you.”
Samuel and Cain hug, and they stay locked together for a long time, until Cain pulls back and roughly ruffles Samuel’s hair. Samuel grins and punches Cain’s shoulder, so Cain gets him in a headlock.
They roughhouse a little and then break apart, both grinning. As they grow serious once more. Cain taps Samuel on the shoulder. “If you need me, message me, and I will be there, okay? We can all come if need be.”
Sameul nods and signs something.
Cain snorts. “He says I worry too much,” he translates for us.
Then Deacon says his goodbyes, too, and they head out to the RV. We follow them out and watch them drive away. Cain stands there long after they’ve gone.
“Come on.” Roman claps Cain on the back. “We’ve got a ritual to prepare for.”
Roman told Cain yesterday that he wanted to do this ritual, and Cain is on board. Roman didn’t tell Cain thathe’sthe major reason we need it. He simply said that he’s worried about the four of us and wants to connect after finally ending the Prophet and getting him out of Ophelia’s life. Knowing Cain, and how proud he is, he’d have said no if he believed we were doing this for him.
The mention of sex pulls Cain out of his deep thoughts, and he turns to Roman and me. “What should we tell Ophelia about it?”
“Nothing much,” Roman says. “She already knows we are doing a ritual, but she doesn’t know the details, and that’s fine for now. I think she’ll get all up in her head about it, but we can tell her this evening before we begin.” He brushes his thumb over his lower lip, thinking. “In fact, Mal, you’ve been moaning about not getting time with her. Do you want to take her out, distract her? Maybe take her to the bar for a bite? If she’s relaxed, this will go a lot better than if she’s nervous.”
I frown. “I thought I’d get time with her for sexy shit, not taking her to the bar for a meal.”
Cain laughs. “Are you saying you don’t like talking to her and only want her for sex?”
That pisses me off because it’s far from true. “No, fuck-face, of course I want to spend time with her. But I get a night alone with her, too, sooner than later.”
