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“I’m sleeping in a guestroom.” I correct him, like that makes it any better.
“You do realize you’re doing it all wrong.”
“Oh, do I?” I snap.
“Well, I wouldn’t entrust my life to a fucking moron, so yeah, I think you do realize.”
“Thanks,” I deadpan.
“Seriously, what the fuck are you doing? Quit falling on your nonexistent sword, and just tell your wife you love her. It’s not that scary.”
Love. He had to fucking say the word.
I tip back the glass, downing the rest of the booze.
I know I love her. Because I’mnotafucking moron.
I’ve loved her for a while.
I think I started falling in love with her when she kicked me in the balls while I was kidnapping her.
But I also know… “I don’t deserve her.”
Nero laughs. Like the bastard he is, he laughs. “No shit you don’t deserve her. King, she’s a woman. We don’t deserve any of them.”
“Exactly.”
“But that doesn’t stop us from keeping them.” Nero believes this statement with his whole heart.
“I can’t just keep her!” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I know they’re a lie.
“Of course you can. And you will.”
I pour another glass of whiskey, but just stare at it.
“Don’t you ever feel bad about dragging Payton into the dark side of life?” I ask Nero the question that’s been burning through my heart.
“No.”
I wait for further explanation, but Nero doesn’t expand. “No?”
“No,” he repeats. “She belongs with me. And I live in the dark. So that’s where she belongs too.”
“But…”That’s just his crazy talking. Right?
“Also…” I swear I can see the smug look on his stupid face when he starts with that tone. “That wife of yours let you fuck her in front of a dead man, so don’t pretend like you’re ripping the wings off an angel.”
“He wasn’t dead yet,” I grumble.
“Good argument,” Nero deadpans. “Now be fucking straight with me. What’s the actual problem?”
“That’s not enough of a problem?”
“You were there.” He reminds me. “You were there when my wife got kidnapped and held at gunpoint because of me. I know what it feels like to fail the person you love. But what I don’t understand is why you’re getting drunk and sleeping alone. After what happened to Payton, you couldn’t pry me from her side.”
“You still can’t,” I grumble.
“King.” Nero says my name like he knows I’m hiding something.