“I’d like that, Mom. I really would.”
“I’ve focused too much on what I thought you wanted and what I thought would make you feel successful. If this is what you want. Really, it was whatIwanted. What mademefeel successful. If this is what will make you feel successful, then I will help you as much as I can.”
He squeezed her hand. “Thank you. I really mean that.”
“I love you, Adonis.”
He wiped his eyes. “I love you, too.”
Chapter 25
Bash
His father was dead. It hadn’t been a painful death. Bash and Lotte had rushed to his side with their mother, and they had sat with Gerard. Their father was basically comatose. He had said nothing when he died. The monitors, which had been beeping, had just gone silent, and they knew he was gone.
The aftermath of death was too logistical for Bash’s tastes. What he wanted, needed, was space to grieve. But Gerard Koning had barely breathed his last breath when the lawyers descended.
Bash and Lotte were ushered from the room while Sophie, still weeping, was drilled with questions.
Koning Kapitaalgroep released a statement later that day. By evening, the phones were ringing with reporters.
Lotte found Bash in his bedroom. “It’s made its way to social media,” she said glumly.
“Fuck,” Bash said from his bed, where he was trying to read to distract himself.
“Do you think if I just DM all news outlets telling them to ‘fuck off’ that’ll work?”
“Worth the shot,” Bash said. “Or maybe talk to your boyfriend and see if the royal family can do something.”
Lotte made a face as if she were considering it. “If he did, that would certainly get him back in my good graces. Have you talked to Adonis yet?”
“I haven’t.”
“He won silver.”
Bash sat up. “He did?”
“Yes. You should call him.”
She was right. It had been too long since they’d spoken. Bash felt bad about how he’d left it. He had barely contacted Adonis since getting to Amsterdam. He had been too distracted with family shit, but that wasn’t a good excuse.
“I’m going to call him,” he said. Lotte nodded and left.
Bash took a couple of calming breaths and then called Adonis’s number. It took a few seconds, but then Adonis answered.
“Bash!” he cried. “Oh my god. I’ve missed you. Is everything okay?”
Bash squeezed his eyes shut, suddenly overcome by the urge to cry.
“My dad died today,” he said, which wasn’t the first thing he’d meant to say, but it just jumped out before he could stop it.
Adonis was silent for a moment. Then, “Bash, I’m so sorry. How are you doing?”
Bash took a deep breath. “I’ve been better.”
“I’m sure. Do you need anything?”
Bash sank back into the cushions on his bed. “Hearing your voice helps,” he said.
