Page 13 of Her Vengeance
“I know that in the past people have kept you under lock and key but from now on, you will always have a choice in the matter. I never want you to feel as though decisions are being made on your behalf. It is your life and if you want to go, all I ask is that you stay between Rome and me so that we can protect you better.” I respond, dismissing the very idea that she should be locked away.
“Thank you, what should I bring?” she asks, looking over at Rome. His cheeks pinken, causing me to smile. This is the sweeter side of him that isn’t easy to portray in a file.
“Wear whatever makes you comfortable. I have clothes and everything in my closet already for you,” he admits, the color of his cheeks getting more pronounced. She smiles widely, and then looks over at me.
“You’re sure that you’re okay with this?” she questions, warming my heart.
“I will never ask you to choose. I know making a choice between us would cause you pain. All I ask is for your honesty. Everything else is available for discussion,” I reassure her by placing a soft kiss on her cheek. A rosy blush creeps up her cheeks making me smile. While I may not love sharing her, I will gladly do it if it makes her happy. She is more than I could have ever hoped to ask for in this life after losing Emma all those years ago.
“Why?” she asks, still unsure of how this all works. I smile softly.
“Years ago, I was in love with someone and she died. I know how it feels to hold space for someone that you’ve lost and since he is back from the dead, I would never ask you to relive a pain I know so well.” I respond, voice cracking at the mention of losing her.
“Did you eliminate the person who took her from you?” Rome asks, ready to help where he can.
“I did,” I respond.
17
Chapter 17
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Rome
“Every kiss is like magic, bringing me back to life, time and time again.”
“Welcome to my bat cave,” I tell her, nervous now that we are alone. I know that we have talked about most of the secrets between us, but it doesn’t guarantee anything. She is the light of my life, and I know that I have a long way to go before I can earn forgiveness for the pain that I have caused her over my death.
“Were you here the whole time?” she asks, as her eyes take in the room. Holding her hand, I guide her to the living room.
“I was in a private hospital a couple of hours from you until I was well enough to travel,” I answer her question honestly.
“When did you get here?” she asks more pointedly. I swallow, focusing on the way her hand feels in mine as we sit down side by side on the couch. I know today has been a lot for both of us.
“Not too long before you did. I never wanted to be too far from you,” I admit, knowing that it may make her more angry at me for keeping all of this a secret. She looks at me, softness and confusion blending softly on her face.
“You can ask whatever you want. I owe you answers,” I reassure her. I know that I haven’t always been honest with her in the past, but that all changes now.
“Are you going to be honest with me if I ask something hard?” she asks me, and I feel my heart crack a bit. Fuck. The proverbial knife sticking out of my heart is no one’s fault but my own. I deserve this. I deserve all of the pain that I have felt for what I have put her through. Bringing her hand to my lips, I place a soft kiss like the princess that she is.
“I will never lie to you again,” I promise her, as I pull her into my arms.
“What happens when my brother asks you to keep something from me?” She asks, and it’s fair. I know that I have always deferred to the family’s needs before my own, but that time is over.
“Before I agree to work with your brother again, he will have to agree to open disclosure between us, and I am assuming by extension Eva,” I tell her the plan, hoping that she accepts it. I love her, and I never want to be the reason that she has to choose between parts of herself. The look of shock on her face speaks volumes.
“You aren’t going to make me choose between the two of you when this is all over?” She clarifies. I smile softly, loving the way that her skin feels against mine.
“Baby, after all that I have made you endure in this life, there is no choice. I am not taking anything from you, even if it meanshaving to share you.” I respond, rubbing soft circles on her arms. She looks up at me and smiles, making my heart warm.
“Are you going to kiss me?” she asks, and my heart stutters in my chest.
“Is that what you want, daffodil?” I need to know for sure that this is what she wants.
“For the rest of my life,” she responds, and my lips find hers. My perfect flower tastes so sweet. The softness of her lips is everything that I have dreamed about since we were young. Raw need and passion are pushing our kisses deeper. Her mouth opens as my tongue seeks to taste every part of her.
This is what I need for the rest of my life. Just her. The taste of her. Every cell in my body craves to be loved and touched by her. As we get deeper, I let her keep control. I want to be consumed by her.