Page 108 of A Light in the Darkness

“Blame Rhea,” I shrug, tapping the steering wheel nervously. I know that my family is waiting for me at the end of this drive—the family I never knew I had, and the ones that have been pulled into our world. I’m lucky, sure, to have found them all. But honestly, all I want right now is Remy.

It’s not that I don’twantthe rest of them, but I’m too tired to deal with it all, and there is a lot that needs dealt with.

“I thought we’d go to Texas,” Remy says, “and get you a Stetson…”

“A Stetson?” I ask, glancing over to find him smirking at me.

“Yeah,” he grins, a wicked little tip of his full lips. “A cowboy hat.”

My jaw falls open as the joke falls into place. “I’d smack you if you weren’t injured.”

“Don’t be offended, sweetheart. It’s a compliment. Best sex of my life.”

“I think you were just high on painkillers.” I roll my eyes, but he shakes his head emphatically.

“Not a chance. The way you rode me? Well, let’s just say I can never attend a rodeo now.”

“Was that another one of your secret billionaire talents?” I muse. “Bull-riding?”

“No.” He laughs. “But it’s ruinedeither way.”

I shake my head, trying not to let the fear creep in to this perfect moment. This sort of banter is what drew us together, what made me fall for him. I haven’t even picked myself back up yet.

Our time together has been a whirlwind from the start, and I still don’t feel that I’ve caught my breath.

“I wish we’d just gone to Costa Rica,” I huff, noting all the cars lined up in the driveway.

“It’s not too late,” Remy shrugs. “I could call Simon, ask him to come meet us.”

I’m fairly certain he’s serious—he’d do it, if that’s what I really want. But running from my problems won’t make them go away.

“It’s tempting.” I sigh.

Remy grins, already knowing that I’m not changing my mind. As much as I want to hide away with Remy in a little bubble of bliss, we have obligations to a lot of people.

When I park the car, he only glances at me, waiting for my command.

“I just need a minute,” I promise, running a finger along the steering wheel, lost in my thoughts.

“You own them all, Claire.” He shrugs again, like he doesn’t mind waiting in the car with me all night. “Just let me know when.”

The sun is slipping behind the house, and I don’t doubt that from the beach, it must be a gorgeous view. Shades of pink and hints of purple break through the clouds, softening the light in the car.

There are a million ways I could tell him, but I don’t think any of it will make any of this easier on me, so I swallow the stale air in my lungs and turn to him, blowing out a breath.

“I have to tell you something.”

“You mean that you and Rhea bought this house so you could raise a bunch of children like they’re your own?” He laughs as my jaw falls open. Before I can even ask just how long he was eavesdropping in the hospital, he laughs. “When you flew homelast summer and she stayed behind to take care of some business, she was looking for properties.”

“She…” I blink, processing that information. “She’s been planning this since last summer?”

“Probably longer. Who knows with her? Honestly, I was glad to support it. If she pulled this off, you’d get the family you wanted without another man touching you, and that’s one less murder I’d have to commit.”

I study his face, looking for any sign that he’s joking, but find nothing. “Sorry, you mean you wanted me to become a… foster mom so that I’d get kids without having to fuck someone else?”

“You left me because you wanted kids.” He argues. “I was terrified you were going to make it happen. The night you called me to ask if you could fuck the whole football team?”

I cringe and then bury my face in my hands.