Page 61 of We The Depraved

“You like surprises, don’t you?”

“Why do you ask?” Niki’s fingers dart over into the fries and I know what he’s thinking. He’s thinking he could have made better fries. The man can cook, that I do know about him.

“Because you do,” I stated. “We met before, didn’t we?”

We stare into each other’s eyes then. The wheels are turning behind those green eyes. Flashes of summer heat licking at my skin, and a strawberry inspired bikini dripping wet with water.

“Sage,” he says my name.

It all comes back to me and he realizes it then that I know now.

“You told me you liked strawberries,” I bite my lip.

He shakes his head and then picks up his beer. He takes long pulls and I watch his throat go to work as he does so. Finally, he slams the beer bottle down on the table.

“When did you start to remember?”

“Tonight.”

“And?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

He runs a hand over his face. “Tell you that I met you when I was twenty five and you were barely out of fucking diapers.”

I make a face. “Sounds a little gross when you put it that way.”

The atmosphere of the bar changes when Patsy Kline’s voice starts to filter through. I stand and hold out my hand.

“Come on, Cowboy,” I say. “Dance with me.”

He grumbles.

“The queen is playing, and it’s our wedding night.”

Reluctantly, Niki takes my hand and we move to the floor. His hands move to the middle of my back as we join the other couples on the floor locked in loving embraces. I’m slightly hesitant but then I do. I ease my head against his shoulder and relax into him as the music washes over us.

Patsy’s voice reminds me that this entire situation is crazy.

“So,” I say as we slowly move to the music.

“Yes?”

“Now that we’re married,” I say. “What exactly are you getting out of this deal.”

He chuckles. “Same thing you’re getting, Sage.”

I raise an eye brow, and watch his green eyes twinkle. The neon lights are catching in his eyes, making his eyes appear to be emeralds dancing in fire.

“Power, Sage.”

“That’s what I get?”

“You are a Safaryan now, Sage. My brother’s would lay their lives down for you. I would walk over burning coals…”

My arms go around his neck then, taking him in. He’s serious as fuck.

“Power,” I smile and pull him down into a kiss.