Page 80 of Deadly Obsession

“Next one.”

He doesn’t hesitate this time and pushes past the tissue paper until spotting the gift. He lifts his head, tears welling in his beautiful, dark blue eyes.

“Sage,” he nearly sobs. He pulls the gift out of the bag. “A championship belt?”

“Yep! And look,” I turn it over and point at the name on the back. “John Cena signed it.”

“How?”

“I know a guy who knows a guy.”

I don’t tell him that the bouncer at Club 99 SoHo, who I was sleeping with up until meeting Elias, is a part-time wrestler and good friends with John Cena’s former agent. I made a call a few days ago and the belt arrived by courier last night.

I wasn’t sure who his favorite is, but I know there are some wrestlers who don’t align with his political views, but Cena does and based on his reaction, it was a good choice. CM Punk would have worked too, but I don’t know anyone connected to him.

“And...” I reach into the bottom of the gift bag. “Tickets to see a live taping of WWE Raw. They film in California so we’d have to take a plane, obviously after all this mess with Chase is taken care of, but maybe we can go to Disneyland when we’re out there. I’ve never been. I mean, I traveled all around the country with Chase, but we never had time to do tourist stuff. I haven’t even been out of the country, so I have a lot of catching up to do. I’m sure you’ve been everywhere. You own a freakin’ island for fuck’s sake—”

“Sage,” Elias says, interrupting my nervous rambling.

“Sorry, I know that’s a lot of future promises, and we still don’t know each other well enough for me to be making plans with you, so you can tell me if you don’t want to go. The tickets are open-ended, and you can take anyone you want—”

“Sage!” he barks. “You’re the only one and, yes, we will go to Disney World. If you want, I’ll buy out the entire park for one day, just for you and me.”

“It’s Disneyland. Disney World is in Florida. I’ve never been there either.”

He sighs and grabs me by the chin.

“After we get rid of Chase, I promise you that I will fly you anywhere you want to go. Disneyland, Disney World, London, Paris, Italy?”

I nod.

“Scotland, Tokyo, Costa Rica?”

I nod again.

“Turks and Caicos, Hawaii, Antarctica?”

“Oh, maybe not Antarctica. Too cold. Though, I wouldn’t mind hanging out with some penguins.”

Elias kisses me and it’s the kind of kiss that would give rom-com kisses a run for their money.Can’t Take My Eyes Off Youby Frankie Valli plays on the record player and all that’s missing is cheers from bystanders and my leg lifting up in delight.

When Elias releases me from the soul-searching kiss, he rests his forehead on mine.

“Thank you, Sage. This is the best thing that’s happened to me in a very long time.”

This time, I kiss him, because my heart breaks at his words. I can’t imagine what it was like for him being forced to grow up too fast. To be abused by the person who was supposed to keep him safe and love him at all costs. And to find the one parent who actually showed him that love and safety dead in a pool of her own blood.

We spend the rest of the night watching movies, includingGhost,inspired by our pizza dough moment earlier. We turn the channel to the ball drop at Times Square just intime to count down to midnight. Then we kiss and fall asleep together on the couch.

Best. New Year’s Eve. Ever.

Chapter 19 – Sage

Staten Island?

Why was Noah on Staten Island?

It’s been a little over a week since New Year’s. Elias and I spent two whole days together before he had to leave to take care of mafia business.