Page 52

FIFTY

SAINT

I woke up alone this morning, not wrapped around my girl’s soft, warm body, and that was surprising as fuck, considering I was in her bed, at her apartment.

When I rolled over, one eye cracked open, I saw a piece of pink paper sticking out from beneath my phone that she must have plugged in for me last night after I passed out.

In my defense, that was after spending the majority of the night in a jail cell and giving her three orgasms.

Not my finest moment. Getting arrested, I mean.

But fuck, it was so worth it.

The relief I feel is palpable after coming clean to her last night.

My shoulders feel lighter without the weight of everything I had been holding in.

I hated that Lennon had to hear about how badly I fucked up, but she needed to know the truth.

I couldn’t tell her that I loved her without being honest about everything.

I guess the truth really does set you free because for the first time in months, I feel like I can finally take a full breath without waiting for the other shoe to drop.I put everything in the open, even though I was terrified she’d leave.

The note she left this morning said she was going to be taking care of something and to lock up when I left. And that she loved me with a cute-as-fuck little heart that had me grinning like an idiot for the next ten minutes.

Never gonna get tired of hearing her say that.

I’m so fucking gone for her. Fully, completely, and don’t give a shit about who knows it.

“Saint.” Looking up from my economics textbook, I see my mom standing in the doorway to my room, pulling her sweater tighter around her small frame. “There’s someone here to see you.”

My brows cinch together in confusion. I don’t even think anyone knows where I live.

Who the fu?—

Suddenly, Lennon steps from behind her, a soft smile on her lips as her green eyes capture mine.

“Hi,” she says quietly. “You didn’t answer my texts or calls, so I just… came here.” The way she says it is hesitant, like she’s worried maybe I wouldn’t want her to.

“Oh shit,” I say, grabbing my phone and looking at the screen. There are at least a dozen calls and messages from her. “I was studying, and my phone was on silent. I’m sorry, baby.”

“It’s okay.” She turns to my mom and extends her hand. “Hi, Mrs. Devereaux. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself when I got here. I’m Lennon, Saint’s girlfriend.”

That’s new… Yeah, I like that way too fucking much.

My girlfriend . My Golden Girl.

Mom’s face immediately softens, her wide brown eyes crinkling in the corners as she smiles at Lennon. “Hi. I’m Stephanie. It’s nice to meet you, Lennon. I guess you’re the one that has been keeping my son smiling like that?”

I hadn’t even realized I was smiling as I watched their exchange until she said that.

Lennon’s cheeks twinge pink.

“I’ll leave you two be, but… thank you for making him so happy, Lennon. He deserves some happiness in his life.” With one last look, she leaves us, shutting the door behind her.

Her words hit me directly in the chest, the feeling of something foreign unexpectedly pulling at my heart.

We both do , I wanted to say.

But I know that when my mom’s ready, she’ll let me know. She’s just… not yet. Not ready to talk, not ready to admit my dad’s no good for her. Not ready to figure out what happens next. Right now, I think we’re just taking it day by day. That’s all we really can do.

“I’m sorry to just barge in like this. I just ne—” I cross the room in two short strides and cut her off with my lips, kissing her like I didn’t just see her eight hours ago. Fuck, I love how she tastes.

How she melts for me.

When I pull back, her eyes are glassy and her mouth swollen from my kiss. I reach up, dragging a thumb along her bottom lip, smirking when she parts for me.

“You don’t ever need to apologize, baby. I’m glad you’re here. I wanted you to meet my mom, so it’s perfect.”

“I… I actually am here because of something important, Saint, and I’m worried that you might be upset at me, but…” She trails off, lifting the laptop in her hands. “I have to show you something.”

A sense of dread fills my gut. Shit. What’s going on now?

I watch as she carries her laptop over to my desk, then sets it down andopens it before turning back to me.

“I know that you said that you wanted to let this stuff with my dad go, but Saint… I couldn’t just let it go.

I understand why you want to move on. I do too.

I just couldn’t let it go after finding all of this out, and ever since, there’s been this nagging feeling in my stomach that something’s not right.

My intuition telling me to listen.” She presses a few keys on the computer and brings up what looks like the local news station.

Her gaze darts to mine. “I think you should probably just watch this first.”

I have no fucking clue what’s going on as she presses Play.

On the screen is what looks like a press conference. A large wooden podium with a flurry of microphones, the camera panned directly at it. Behind it is a tall, burly Black man with a thick mustache wearing an NOPD uniform.

“Hello, everyone, thank you for being here tonight. My name is Detective Marshall Robbins, and I am a detective with the Financial Crimes unit. I’m here today to release a statement involving an arrest that took place at approximately 5:30 p.m. at a private residence on St. Charles Avenue.

We have taken a Mr. Edward Rousseau into custody on the following charges: bribery of a public official, obstruction of justice, criminal contempt of court, perjury, and fraud.

The New Orleans Police Department takes these allegations very seriously, and we will be investigating to the best of our ability.

Due to the high-profile nature of this case, we are releasing this statement to keep the public informed and to prevent the spread of false information.

We will be working closely with the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office and will release further information when available. ”

Lennon stops the video and turns to me, unshed tears pooling in her eyes.

I think I might be in shock because I’m frozen in place while trying to wrap my head around what the fuck I just heard, what the hell is even happening.

Blinking, I croak, “Baby… what did you do?”

“I chose you, Saint.” She crosses my room and slides her hands along my jaw, holding me tightly in her small palms. “I went to my parents’ house this morning while they were still in Baton Rouge, and I went through my father’s computer.

I didn’t even know what I was going to find, if there would be anything, but Saint, I…

I found it all. Documents showing that he had been paying off a judge to turn cases in his favor.

Evidence that proves he’s been falsifying information in cases of negligence brought against the company.

Cases like your father’s. I’m not sure why…

maybe in case he ever needed to use it for blackmail, or he’s just really fucking stupid and never thought anyone would look into it. ”

I laugh, the sound rough and strained from emotion, shaking my head. “I definitely think it’s the latter.”

“Me too.” She grins. “But Saint, it wasn’t just your father.

There’s half a dozen more instances of Rousseau Enterprises employees being injured and my father doing criminal shit to keep it under wraps.

All so he wouldn’t have to admit negligence.

To save face. And to save money. All of these poor families who have suffered at his hand. It’s sickening.”

Holy fuck.

My expression probably reads exactly as shocked as I am because she nods, drawing her lip between her teeth and chewing the corner anxiously.

I use my thumb to free it. “I took everything I could find, and I brought it straight to the police department. That’s where I’ve been all day.

I told the detectives that I’d be willing to testify about what I found if they need me for their case.

You and your mom and all of these people who have been wronged are going to get the justice they deserve. ”

My girl.

God, I love her so fucking much.

“Lennon, your mom… what about you and your family?” My throat currently feels like I’ve swallowed sandpaper.

I don’t want this shit to touch her. I don’t want any of it to ever hurt her again.

Her shoulder lifts. “I don’t care what people think of me.

If they assume I’m guilty because of him, then that’s their problem.

My mom will figure it out. These innocent people finally having justice and closure is more important than the Rousseau reputation.

Honestly, I’d like to change my name if I could. ”

“Yeah? One day, you will. It’ll be Devereaux.”

She giggles as her cheeks flame.

She probably thinks I’m joking, but I guess she’s just going to have to stick around and find out.

“It was the right thing to do. I needed you to know that someone would fight for you. I will always fight for you. And now we know the truth. We can truly be free, Saint.”

My arms swallow her as I drag her against my chest and press my lips to her hair, breathing her in and savoring the fact that she’s mine.

I would’ve been happy and at peace with the fact that she finally knew the truth, but she made sure the world knew.

And when I thought I couldn’t love her more, she steals my fucking breath.