“I’d make a horrible liaison,” I tell him truthfully. Liam shrugs.
“Guess we’ll find out.” He kisses the top of my head affectionately before walking away, giving Seamus and Kiernan time to say their goodbyes.
“I’ll talk to Vas about continuing your training while you’re here,” Kiernan tells me. “Can’t have you slacking. You still need a lot of work.”
“Gee thanks,” I grumble as he hugs me. “I’ll remember that next time you tell me to take it easy on you.”
Kiernan laughs.
“Don’t worry.” Seamus winks at me. “You won’t get rid of us so easily. We’ll be around, big sis. And don’t think I didn’t notice you discharge your weapon improperly at the port. You’ll regret that when you come back.”
I let out a watery laugh and hug him tightly. I don’t feel like the big sister here. They’ve looked out for me these past few weeks. We aren’t very far apart in age, but I pride myself on being called a big sister. Especially after letting Libby down.
I’ll make sure that never happens again.
The door shuts behind Liam’s men, and I’m left standing alone with Matthias. Vas and the others already made their excuse and disappeared—shitty excuses, really. It’s not a secret they’re trying to get us alone.
“I’ll sleep on one of the couches,” I tell him, breaking the tense silence. “Make it easier on both of us.”
I don’t tell him the real reason I want to sleep in the living room is because the only open room is my old one. The one Libby slept in. Where her things are left untouched. There’s no going back in there. Not for me.
Too many memories.
Too much heartache.
I won’t let him see me cry over it, again. He probably thinks I am weak for crying after the gunfire at the port. I can’t afford for him to think of me like that.
“I’ve got business most nights.” Matthias’s low voice makes my body thrum with electricity. Knock it off, Ava. “You can sleep in our bed. I won’t be joining you.”
Ourbed. He still calls it our bed. Not his.
“Okay,” I murmur as I start toward the hallway that leads to the master suite.
“Oh, and Ava.”
I turn back at the sound of my name. Matthias’s face is drawn into a scowl, eyes narrowed.
“Don’t expect to be staying too long.”
Well, fuck.
So much for being home.
twenty
She is everywhere.
The scent of her jasmine perfume permeates every corner of the penthouse. Her clothes and belongings are strewn all over the bedroom we’ve barely shared since she came back.
It’s a trick. I know it. Ava isn’t a particularly tidy person compared to my utilitarian lifestyle, but she hardly ever leaves clothes on the floor or her shoes by the door to trip me.
I let her sleep there on her own because there is little chance that I won’t give in to my base instincts and fuck her.
She is my wife still, and I respect that bond, even if I am already having Ben draw up the divorce papers. After that, it will be over and done. She’ll be free to be whomever she wants. Free to live her life without restraint.
I hear her laughter from the living room most days as she saunters about the penthouse talking to Mia or my men.
She is loud.
