My smile was rueful. “There was a time… But not anymore. Now she’s welcome into any part of my world.”
“As it should be,” Mom nodded in approval. She glanced down at her hands clasped together in front of her and I knew she was thinking of how much was missing from her own relationship. My father was a motherfucker. He treated her like shit, and she’d put up with it for too long.
“You don’t have to stay with him, you know,” I spoke softly, breaking into her thoughts. She glanced up. Her smile was tender.
“I love him,” she whispered. “As much as it hurts. As much as I know I can’t trust him. He’s in my heart.”
I reached out and put my hand over hers. “You’re beautiful, Mom. You’re smart, you’re charming…and you’re young enough to start over if you want. I’ll stand by you, whatever you choose.”
She curled her fingers through mine and squeezed slightly. “Thank you, darling.” The silence was heavy for a second and I saw her pinch her lips together. “You know…you always were my favorite son, don’t you?”
I chuckled. “I’m your only son, Mom.”
She looked up at me and winked. It was impossible to keep her down for any length of time.
“I think you’re going to be a wonderful husband, Alec.”
I gave her hand another squeeze. “I’ll be the very best I can be.”
∞∞∞
Sasha Ramirez
“Is that all of it?” Renée asked, stepping back, and setting her hands on her hips. The sad little cluster of cardboard boxes held my entire world. Well, all my material possessions, at any rate. My world was now firmly hitched to the man who’d taken over my soul.
“Yip,” I said, dusting my hands off. Horatio had wanted to come in and do all the moving for us, but it made me uncomfortable. Partly because these were my personal things. But mainly because I was a little embarrassed at how sad and tatty my belongings were. The battered second-hand furnishings – whatever Renée hadn’t laid claim to – were going to Goodwill. Much of my clothing was headed there, too.
All I’d really wanted were the few small keepsakes I’d collected over the years. A yearbook, a couple of stuffed toys, a photo album that had been my grandmother’s. I’d managed to hang onto that over the years. All of it fitted in the trunk of the limo with room to spare. Renée widened her eyes at me as we slid into the back seat behind Horatio.
“This is so freaking fancy, doll!” she whispered, eyeing Horatio, who remained impassively facing forward.
I gave a small giggle. “I know, right?”
“Can he hear us?” she asked, still in a whisper.
I rolled my eyes. “Uh, yeah? He’s not hearing impaired, Ren.” I sensed Horatio grinning as he flipped the switch that closed the partition between us.
As it hissed shut, Renée turned to me and gave me a serious look.
“You’re doing the right thing for you, yeah?” she asked. “You sure of this, doll?”
“More sure than anything I’ve ever done,” I reassured her.
She gnawed her lip. “I know it probably sounds odd, coming from me, but you’re not just doing this for the cash or anything? I mean, that would be cool, if it was your gig. But I know you, Sash. You’re not cut out for that kind of life.”
I chuckled and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Oh, Ren, I love you so much!” It made my heart warm to know she’d always look out for me. “I’m totally into this, I swear it!”
“Pinky swear?” she asked, mock-seriously.
“Cross my heart,” I smiled. “I’m so in love. It’s almost scary.”
She tipped her head. “Scary in a good way or a bad one?”
“Oh, good! All good!” I said firmly. “Sure, we’ve had our sticky moments,” I admitted. “We had a pretty freakish start.” I’d told Renée about the contract – the confidentiality clause had fallen away when Prince had torn up the contract and given me access to all his accounts. I would never take advantage, though. It felt odd to be given the “keys to the vault.” I had my own bank account and wanted to keep it that way. Still, it was nice to know he’d trust me that far.
“So, then he’s put all that old playboy stuff behind him?” Renée pressed on.
I nodded, although I pursed my lips. I would never feel any warmth toward Angelique Delavigne. But my insecurities around her and Prince had evaporated after that day in the parking bay. It had been a moment of truth for both of us. In the days that followed, as we’d discussed it in depth, he’d remained horrified at what he’d done. Yet, I’d realized that his reaction had been precisely what I’d been pushing for. I needed to believe that he couldn’t control his desire for me. That I could push him over the edge.
