I smile and follow behind him, placing my plate and Abel’s down beside the sink. We work in harmony cleaning up the kitchen and dining room like we’ve done a thousand times and again, the domestic idea of it all hits me before it effectively shatters in the same breath.
“I need to talk to them.”
Although he’s turned away from me, I see the small nod as he says, “I know.”
I walk over to him, wrapping my arms around him from behind and placing my head on his back, listening to the subtle sound of him breathing. “I’m sorry, Wyld. I dragged you into this before I even knew the truth.”
His hands land on top of mine as he takes a deep breath. “There’s no need to apologize, love. You’ve told me the story and even to me it sounded like Atlas took him.” He turns around, wrapping his arms around me now as he holds me tightly to his chest. “Do you still love them?”
His heart is beating hard in his chest, the sound echoing through my ears as I whisper a secret I’ve kept even from myself. “Yes.”
His heart continues to pound as he says, “And Roman?”
Images of the red headed man flash through my mind as I consider my emotions for him. He was supposed to be a means to an end, a ticket into the dark world I needed access to. Instead… “Not yet, but the possibility is there.”
He’s quiet for a moment before I feel his arms begin to move, going from wrapped around me to his hands holding my shoulders at a distance. His eyes search my face, and I know whatever he’s about to say next is going to change everything.
“And me?”
My tongue shoots out to wet my lips as he continues to stare, my body heating up from the attention as yet another secret comes spilling from my lips. “I’ve loved you for a long time, Wylder James.”
His head tilts to the ceiling as he lets out a groan that sends shivers up my spine. I get pulled againsthim, my breath rushing out only to be swallowed whole as his lips slam against mine.
Kisses with Wylder are always hot. He dominates me and I submit, it’s how our relationship goes – but this is something more.
This isn’t the endorphin releasing sex we have when we need to blow off steam. This is admittance. This is deciding not to pretend anymore.
His tongue slides against mine, one last touch of devotion before he pulls away. Our breathing is hot as it mixes between us and our eyes are filled with the love we kept hidden for so long. He doesn’t need to say it because I can see it every time he looks at me. I’ve known for years now.
“I love you, too, Evie. So fucking much it hurts sometimes.” He leans in for another kiss and nips at my bottom lip as he pulls away. “I don’t care if you love them, too. I may get a little jealous sometimes and it’s going to take some getting used to but…I can’t deny you their love when you’ve been aching for them for so long.”
“Wylder, I know this is a lot to ask and – “
He puts a finger on my lips to silence me, a smile forming on his lips. “That wasn’t me saying I’ll automatically accept them. I’ve seen you in pain for three years and I know it went on long before I ever came into the picture. They can’t expect to waltz in and pick up where they left off. This goes atyourpace, Evie. Not theirs.”
“They may not even want to. When they figure out what I did they’ll probably hate me. They’ll never want to see me again.” My eyes fill with tears I refuse to let fall as I think of how they’ll react when I tell them.
Wyld shrugs, “Then don’t tell them yet. Give them time to realize the woman you are now.”
Let them know me so maybe they’ll understand my reasoning. They can’t expect me to be the same girl I was when they left. I just don’t think they’re expecting…this.
Either way, it’s a better plan than I’ve got.
“Call Thompson and call him off. Tell him I want the trial scheduled and over with sooner rather than later.”
Wylder nods as he pulls out his phone, immediately scrolling through his contacts to find Thompson’s name. “Anything else?”
My mind spins through all the loose ends I now need to tie up in neat little bows because I moved too quickly.Fucking rookie mistake.“Get Viv to talk to her connection at the police department so they’ll release the information for Roman’s gun, that’ll help with the jury and call Markus to see when the next race is, I’m going to need the cash.”
“What about – “
I cut him off with a wave of my hand as I turn to leave. “I’ll handle him.”
Chapter 23
Eve
For the second time this morning, I walk down the stairs to the sound of laughter radiating from my dining room, but it’s not my son’s joyful laughter from Wylder asking him questions about the boy scouts. No, this laughter is dark and full of dangerous promises. It’s Wylder playing nice until I decide if these men get to stay in our lives or not. It’s Roman acting like everything is okay when I know Atlas and Kor had to have laid into him last night. It’s Atlas trying not to strangle Roman as he stares at the bite marks I left high on his neck.
