Page 70 of Reckless Dynasty (Knight's Ridge Empire 9)

TOBY

Imight wake up with one hell of a hangover and what feels like a marching band inside my skull, but I’ve also got the widest smile on my face as I tighten my hold on Jodie and recall some of the less hazy memories from the night before.

Nuzzling her neck, I breathe in her scent mixed with my scent from the shower we shared after our short time in the lake.

A shiver rips down my spine at the thought of just how cold that water was. Fucking Nico and his stupid challenges.

“Morning,” Jodie groans, pressing her body farther back into mine and grazing her arse against my morning wood.

“Morning, baby,” I breathe, planting kisses across her bare shoulder.

“My head hurts,” she complains, making me laugh.

“Yeah, same. You want some painkillers?” I offer, although the thought of getting out and finding them for her isn’t exactly appealing.

“I can wait. This is nice.” Her legs tangle with mine, connecting us in as many ways as possible.

“Hmm.”

We lie there in silence for the longest time, both of us staring out of the huge windows that showcase the breathtaking views beyond.

I start to wonder if she’s actually fallen back to sleep, she’s so peaceful, but a few seconds later, she speaks. “When we get back, I think it’s time to fully start over.”

I don’t respond, sensing that she’s got more she wants to say.

“I want… I want you to follow through with your plan. Put your demons to rest and allow us all to move on with our lives.”

“Are you sure, baby?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t want to—”

“My dad died in a fatal crash before Christmas. There was a leak on the fuel line and it went up in a fireball seconds after he collided with a tree. It was devastating. It is devastating. The man in your basement… he’s not a man I ever knew. But he’s one who has terrorised you, hurt you, abused you. He’s made both you and those you love bleed, and for that, I want you to do what you need to do.”

She flips over and allows me to see into her rich chocolate eyes, to see the truth within them.

“It needs to end, Toby. I know you’re trying to do the right thing for me, and I really, really appreciate that. But this is weighing down on you. His presence is still affecting you, and it needs to stop.

“You need to wipe the slate clean and really restart your life. You’ve got an incredible family around you that would literally do anything for you. It’s time to put the bad parts in the past where they belong and finally start embracing your future.”

I wrap my fingers around the back of her neck and pull her closer so I can press my brow to hers.

“Do you want me to do it? Could you live with that?”

“I need you to do what you need to do. I need you free of those nightmares, Toby.”

“That might take a bit more work than just pulling a trigger,” I confess.

“I know. And I’m here for that. I’m here for whatever you need.”

I nod against her.

“I don’t deserve you, Demon.”

“And you didn’t deserve all that shit he dealt you, either. It’s time to make it right. To move on.”

“And what about you?” I ask, knowing that she’s been fighting her own battle about her future recently.