Page 78 of The Maverick (WaterFyre Rising #7)

CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO

ATTIKUS

A month later, Vanessa was still mad at me and living with her mother in her old apartment. I only had so much patience. She’d told me she needed time to think things through. A month was long enough. I walked into the studio at her apartment, carrying a gift bag, and knocked on the door.

She opened it. “Yes?” Her dark hair was in a messy bun. She looked beautiful in her stained T-shirt and ripped jeans.

“May I come in?”

She shrugged. “Go ahead. You own this building.”

Vanessa walked back to her fantastical painting of a lotus reaching for a floating island with a waterfall dripping with gold water.

An intricate world lay beneath the lily pad and the surface of the water.

I recognized the buildings around the City of Providence.

Her color preferences had evolved to pastels instead of the bold, dark shades she’d favored before.

My love was transforming before my eyes. The darkness no longer existed in her.

“That’s a gorgeous painting,” I said.

“Thanks.” She continued working, ignoring me.

“I love you,” I said, standing beside her.

She stopped, turned, and met my eyes. Love radiated from her face.

“Can we please talk?” My heart quickened, fearing she’d say no.

She closed her eyes and released a sigh. When she opened them, she nodded. “Let’s sit over here.”

We walked to the old couch, and I sat beside her, leaving the gift bag on the floor. “Are you okay?”

She looked pale and exhausted. I blamed myself for her condition.

“I’m okay. Nothing sleep won’t cure.”

“I know I said this already, but I’m truly sorry for not telling you about my plan.

I wanted to keep you safe. If I’d told you, I feared The Trogyn members would spy on you for your reaction.

” I took her hand in mine. “Your emotional state drove Charles Collins and Madeline Claude-Collins to believe my friends and I were dead. This led The Trogyn to loosen their security and become more careless.”

She swallowed. “Go on.”

“The boys used this carelessness to attack their multiple headquarters and hideaways. They had several in all the fifty states and many around the world. We destroyed all of them.”

Her mouth dropped open. “How did you know their locations?”

“Dr. Messina had a list since he was one of their top elites. He gave me a clear picture of the intricate web within The Trogyn. Once I eliminated Ashton and the line of succession, they wouldn’t have any more legs to stand on.

There would be no leaders. No more hideaways, no more money, no more resources.

They’d have nothing. The Trogyn would crumble. ”

She leaned against the couch. “So there’s no more crime organization?”

“The Trogyn is gone, and the Claude family and their associates are scrambling from all the scrutiny, lawsuits, and people backing out of their businesses. The government is cleaning house at the CIA. It’s going to be hard for the American people to trust their government again.”

“What about Harris Foods LLC and Pharmaceuticals?”

“Thanks to you and the girls, we shut down over two hundred businesses associated with the Harris companies, and the owners are cooperating with the officials. Not only that, but Detective Farmer has also been appointed the lead investigator. He’s put together a great team.

We can trust he’ll deliver the justice everyone deserves. ”

Vaness swallowed. “What happened to the bodies?”

“Farm animals got them,” I said, not wanting her to know the details of Calvin’s farm.

“What kind?”

“Alligators, tigers, wolves.”

“Those aren’t farm animals!” she exclaimed. “Are you referring to a different farm?”

“ Very different.”

She looked at me for a moment. “We need honorable men and women to hold office. The country needs change. The world needs change.”

“Maybe this will inspire people to step up. But who knows? Politics is its own monster. The Trogyn was one of many.” I sighed. “I’m tired of fighting, of planning—of watching my back.”

“You’ve avenged all the victims of The Trogyn.” She turned and cupped the side of my face. “You and your friends saved a lot of people.”

“You had a huge role in it too.” I gripped her hand.

“If you’re not safe or happy, there’s no point in saving the world, Vanessa.

” I looked her in the eye. “You reached into my heart and repainted it a beautiful color.” Her eyes softened on me.

“You’re the varnish that prevented my tattered soul from fraying. ”

“Attikus.” Tears welled in her eyes.

“Our home is cold and lonely without you. I’ve been replaying our time together.” My heart quickened with emotion. “In the quiet, I can hear myself. Most of all, I can hear your heart beating for me. You’ve been through a lot because of me. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“I was ready to die with Madeline that day,” she confessed. “I didn’t know how to make the pain stop. I thought if I watched her die, it would make me feel better.”

“I faked my death to protect you, but I didn’t realize my plan pushed you front and center of danger.

” Guilt multiplied in my stomach. “I watched your every move, so I know the pain I’ve bestowed on you.

My cameras were placed all over the hotel, which I owned under an alias.

I had to ensure you and the girls were safe. ”

I kissed her hand. She didn’t yank it back, which was a good sign.

“You know, the boys and I would’ve gotten the President and Madeline from the confessions of the people they worked with or blackmailed. But when I saw your plan, I revised ours. Yours was better.”

She smirked. “That just means you should never keep your plans from your wife.”

“Never again. I learned my lesson.”

“We’ve weathered a major storm.” She stared at our joined hands.

“Your mom knew the truth, but I asked her not to tell you.”

“That’s why she agreed to stay home that day. Did she tell you about my plan?”

I nodded. “She had to. She didn’t want to risk you getting hurt. I gave her my word I’d keep you safe.”

“I love you.” She looked at me. “But I need you to do something for me to earn the ultimate forgiveness.”

A tremendous burden slid off my chest. I’d do anything for her. But the amusement in her eyes made me cautious about declaring that.

“Audri and Natalie already forgave their significant other,” I said.

She leveled a stare at me. “They’ve been together a lot longer than we have.” Her eyes narrowed with a hint of wickedness. “Plus, I’m not as forgiving as they are. I need my man to put in the work.”

“Okay. What do you need me to do?”

“Chores and art. I need you to mop the kitchen floor, vacuum all the rugs, and do the dishes—the old-school way. No dishwasher allowed. Do this for a month.”

I stared at her as the wild demand sparked a flurry of crazy images in my head. I hadn’t done these chores in a long time. “We have a cleaning service to do all that.”

“But I want you to do it. There’s joy in cleaning up your own mess. Plus, positive energy loves it when you—the homeowner—put in the work.” She smirked. “How much do you love me? Let me count the ways.”

“Tomorrow can be day one,” I said, taking on the challenge.

She smiled. “Are you sure about this?”

“Do you need me to draft up a contract?”

She smirked. “No.”

“So that means you’re moving back with me today?”

“How else will I monitor these chores?” She smiled and rested her head on my shoulder. “I’ll get you a pretty apron to wear while you clean, Whistler.”

“I’ll wear whatever you want. I’ll even clean in the nude for you.”

She laughed, and I had my Lily Pad back. “About the contract?—”

“It never really existed. I never gave it to my lawyer.” I kissed her lips gently. “It was just a piece of paper to help you believe I would help you.”

“You’re such a cunning man.” She shifted to straddle me and cupped my face, squishing my cheeks together. “You asked my mom for her permission to marry me?”

“I did, and she said yes.”

“When did you plan on telling me this?”

“I wanted to right away, but you didn’t want to talk to me.”

She sighed. “I’m confused?—”

I gently extricated myself from her, dropped to my knees, and pulled out a gold box. “I never got the chance to ask you like this. So I want to fill in all the blank spaces now.” My heart thundered with anticipation. “Will you marry me, Vanessa?”

More tears overflowed her eyes. “Yes, you silly man.”

Rising, I slid the brilliant-cut diamond ring on a petrified wooden band that matched her other ring onto her finger.

“It’s gorgeous and so unique.” She stared at the ring, moving her hand so it caught the sunlight. “I love it.”

“I’m happy to hear that.”

Vanessa embraced me, pushed me back down on the couch, and straddled my hips again. It seemed like this was her preferred position. “But you still need to do the chores.”

I laughed. “Okay.”

With sparkling eyes, she squished my face. “There’s one more part to the groveling.”

“What is it?” I asked through puckered lips.

“I want you to sketch a hundred images. It can be of anything. This will inspire you to create art again.”

“Done.”

“That was easy.” She gave me a loud, sloppy kiss.

I reached for the gift bag on the floor and gave it to her. “For you, my demanding, perfect wife.”

Beaming, she opened the gift bag and pulled out the sketchbook. Flipping to the first page, she saw herself and sucked in a breath. She flipped through all the pages, studying each illustration and its date.

“There are over a hundred illustrations of you. So that task is done.”

Tears slid down her face. “You’re a fabulous illustrator, Attikus.”

“You’ve reignited the artist in me. Thank you.” I got up from the couch and pulled her with me. “Do you want another wedding ceremony?”

“No need for that. A reception with family and friends would be nice. Nothing big.”

“Anything you want.”

“Was the marriage certificate also false?” she asked. “Is Agnes a fake justice of the peace?”

“The certificate is real. We’re married, love. And Agnes is the real deal.”

She looped her arms around my neck. “That saves us time. But I want another honeymoon. Same place.”

I smiled. “We can do that after I finish my chores in the nude for you.”

She gripped my hand. “Let’s go home now. I want you to demonstrate that for me.”

“It’ll sweep you off your feet, baby.” I scooped her up and headed home to show my wife all the ways I loved her.