Page 55 of Not Her Day to Die (Star-Crossed #2)

“ S unday? Can you come downstairs?” It’s Grayson outside of my room.

I cast a glance back to the bathroom. Walking to it, I yell through the door. “Veronica, I’m going to go downstairs. Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m good, just having a necessary mental breakdown, but I’m managing, I promise.”

My mind wars with me, but I decide to leave her to it. She seems like she’s doing as well as can be expected. And Veronica was always strong, she always held herself together well. Even after Auggie’s death.

Throwing on my own set of clothes, I head out the door, only to find Darius on the other side.

He offers me his hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Veronica and William.”

I take his, squeezing it reassuringly. “I understand, just don’t keep any more big secrets like that again, okay?” I look up at him through my lashes.

He is still broken up about what we went through, but I can already tell he’s healing. He’s more comfortable.

Tugging him to me, I use one hand to grip him by the neck, dragging him down to my level and then reaching up on my tiptoes, I push my lips against his.

Pressing my emotions into him. Showing him with my mouth how much I love him.

For a moment, he doesn’t react but then his tongue tangles with mine, the piercing ever present, offering a cool reprieve in the fire he ignites inside of me.

His hand finds the small of my back, wrenching me up and closer.

A throat clearing has him wrenching back. I nearly stumble in the movement, but he stabilizes me.

“Sunflower?” Turning, I come face-to-face with my parents. My skin heats, a lead drops in my stomach.

“I told them to wait downstairs,” Axel chuckles, slinking up from behind them on the stairs. He marches forward, heaving me into his arms before dropping a kiss on the tip of my nose.

“Axel,” I warn.

“What Sunday? Just need your parents to know you’re well looked after. Can’t leave them thinking it’s just Darius they need to approve of.”

My mom’s face is white, but my dad doesn’t even react. “I told you this would happen,” he tells her before offering me a sad smile. “We’ll be next door when you’re ready.” He grabs hold of my mom’s wrist and takes her with him down the stairs.

Grayson pops his head around the corner a few minutes later. “Why did they leave so suddenly?” He sees Axel with his hold on me and narrows his eyes. “Of course you would be the culprit.”

Shrugging out of Axel’s hold, I offer him an overdramatic glare before pecking Darius on the cheek. “I need to go see them.” Turning to Grayson. “Will you come with me please? I don’t…I don’t want to do this alone.”

“What about us?” Axel grumbles.

“They just saw you and Darius with me. I think it might be best to just bring Grayson.”

Axel grunts his disapproval but doesn’t argue. However, I know that he’s going to be just outside, but hopefully, he will stay out of sight.

Grayson furrows his eyebrows in confusion. “Of course, ready?”

I’m not .

My emotions are haywire and the sight of my parents has left me with more bad feelings than good.

But I want to speak to them, to hear them out, especially now that I know the extent of their suffering.

Know how little choice they had. How they tried to make the most out of the worst possible scenario.

I jerk my head. “Don’t let Veronica leave without saying goodbye?” I toss the words to Darius.

“Of course.”

Satisfied, I lead the way down the steps and next door. It isn’t my home any longer. And I’m not sure if I would have the strength to re-enter the space if not for Grayson’s comforting form following close behind me.