Part of me suspected he kept it all the way it was and took care of it religiously, because it was Mom’s dream and her design. He still couldn't move on, no matter how much he tried. As a child, I found it romantic. As an adult, it broke my heart. Living in the past sucked. Didn't he need love?
“We’re leaving for North Carolina tomorrow.”
Damian’s words snapped me back to our conversation, and I turned my head to him. “So soon?” While I knew about their desire to go back, I thought we’d have more time to explore the city together with Sapphire. She promised to show me around, and advise me on some good places for food and books.
“Kristina misses Jason.” I barely contained my laughter, remembering her obsession with her friend. The four-year-old legitimately thought they’d end up together, and needless to say, Damian didn't like it at all. “And what she wants, she gets. We’ll come back in about a month or two, and then you’ll have time to go shopping with her or whatever the fuck you guys planned to do.”
Nodding, I stayed silent, because, for the first time, the weight of the whole situation crashed over me. For the last five years, Damian had been the only constant in my life, the one person who protected me and always had my back.
He became my brother, and now he was moving on to be with his family, because his revenge was finally over. On a level, for me, it was the end of an era. “Well, that’s great.” My voice shook a bit, but I tried desperately not to show him. It wasn't that I didn't want him to be happy or that I had a stupid crush on him as Dom had thought, but for so long, he was the only family I had. The only actual person who understood my hopes and dreams, the one who never thought any of it was impossible.
“Yeah, I can’t wait to start my life with my girls.” He was silent a beat, and then said, “I was in Houston. Visited my parents’ graves. Dominic was there too.” My heart stilled and then pushed against my ribcage.
Dominic was still in the States? Since I hadn’t heard from him in the last three days, I assumed he went back home.
Licking my dry lips, I asked, “When is he going back?” Even an outsider could understand from the pitch of my voice how interested I was in the answer, let alone him.
“Soon,” he replied curtly, and honestly, in that moment, I really wanted to smack Damian.
Was it so hard to help a girl out?
We grew silent once again, and I didn't understand what we were doing when he stood up and motioned for me to do the same. Furrowing my brows in confusion, I did what he asked, and immediately his arms closed around me in a squeeze so tight I could barely breathe. “Rosa, no matter where I live, you will always have me as your big brother. One call, girl, and I’ll be here.” My eyes watered at his words, and I hugged him closer, for a second closing my eyes and basking in the knowledge that he’d always be there for me. Until he said those words, it felt like I was losing him.
“Thank you,” I whispered, and after a second, he leaned back and his thumbs gently removed the tears sliding down my cheeks.
“Another thing.”
Wiping my nose with my sleeve, I studied him through blurry eyes. “Yeah?”
A mysterious smile appeared on his face. “Dominic is my twin, but if he hurts you, I will kick his ass. Remember that.”
Waving my hand in denial, I replied quickly, “It’s a nonissue. He gave up, and Dad is against it anyway. Plus, I’ll be too busy with med school for all this drama.” Damian tilted his head back and laughed loudly, which unsettled me, then pressed a kiss against my forehead as he shook his head.
“You clearly underestimate him.” Too stunned to answer, I just shrugged as he hugged me one last time. “I have to go. One call, Rosa.” And with those last words, he walked back to the terrace and disappeared behind the glass double doors.
Dominic
Thump. Thump. Thump.
My fist hitting the black leather punching bag as I poured all my frustration into the thing was the only sound in the empty gym.
Sweat glistered on my skin. My soaked T-shirt and sweatpants were plastered to my body, and my hair was pulled back in a tight bun. My hands had no boxing gloves as bandages covered my palms, but I enjoyed every ounce of pain running through me from my blistered and bloody knuckles. No matter how much I tried, my mind wouldn't rest. The same scenes would play.
Rosa leaving me for her dad.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Don taking away my woman.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Rosa was pleading with her fucking eyes, without even realizing it, for me to take her away and have my way with her.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
I couldn't eat, sleep, or function without her by my side, and part of me, the deepest part, resented her for showing up and then choosing her life here over me.
I didn't want to be the bad guy who shattered her world, but she left me no choice. My nights were filled with images of her on my silky black sheets with nothing but candles illuminating her body as I slowly learned every soft, sensitive spot she had. Images of tasting her, something I’d never done to a woman in my life but couldn't wait to do to her. My cock was constantly erect, and no amount of jerking off to fantasies helped me, so I gave that up too. It only frustrated me more.
