Page 30 of Roxanne

“Are you okay?” I asked him as I approached him slowly.

“Go away!” he growled angrily, but I shook my head.

I could tell something was wrong and that he needed help. Rather than leaving him alone like he tried to demand, I walked over, grabbed his hand, and led him back to my house. Once we were inside, I went into the bathroom and pulled out the first aid kit. I was helping him clean up the cuts on his arm when Mama walked in.

She took over from there, and it wasn't long before William busted through the door. He took one look at Storm and decided he'd be his best friend.

They've been by each other's side ever since. And Storm has been my constant protector.

“You knew this whole time?” I whisper, shocked he’s never said anything.

“Of course, I knew. You think I'm an idiot? You think I'm blind? I don't think the boy could have been more obvious if he fucking screamed it in my face,” Papa scoffs, and I nibble my lip nervously.

“So you're not going to kill him?”

“Should I?”

“What?! Papa, no!”

“Okay,” Papa shrugs. “Then he lives.”

“My threat stands. If he hurts you, I'll beat him to death,” William adds unhelpfully.

“Jesus, William…” I hiss, shaking my head at my brother, and his special brand of crazy.

“It's okay, Little Sinner, I would expect nothing less,” Storm murmurs gently, his voice horse, and tired.

“Storm!” I gasp, sitting up and looking at him. He smiles at me weakly, and I throw my arms around him, hugging him tight before I remember the bandage over his arm. “Shit, I'm sorry.” I pull away from him and wince.

“It's okay, come here.” He uses his unharmed arm, wrapping it around me and pulling me back into his body. “Good to know, I'm not on your shit list, sir,” Storm says to my father.

“Keep it up, and you just might find yourself there,” my father grunts but nods his head at Storm. “Glad to see you’re okay.”

“Oh, come on. You wouldn't wanna make your little cub cry.” Storm smirks at Papa, who just glares back.

“No, I suppose not,” Papa says, as he crosses his arms over his chest. “I have no doubt you’ll treat her well, and protect her with your life.”

“Always, sir.” Storm nods, and I sniff, before pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again.” I kiss him again. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Little Sinner.”

Epilogue

Roxy

It's been three months since my uncle was officially killed.

This time for sure. He appeared dead the last time, but there's really no denying it this time considering I saw his brains splattered all over my floor.

Storm and I are doing amazing, we're happier than either of us has ever been. Now that I’m not being a stubborn, hard-headed jerkface. I’m just glad Storm stepped in when he did. That he met me in that pool house, instead of Eric. That he showed up to that key party.

I don’t know if I would have truly been able to sleep with another man. I was so dead set on pushing Storm away, but I don’t think I would have been able to go through with it. I think I would have stopped if things went further than a kiss.

But it doesn’t really matter what I might have done, because Storm was there, just like he always is. He wouldn’t let me make a mistake I’d regret forever. I was his, and he was going to make sure I accepted that, one way or another.

For the first few weeks after Eli’s attack, Storm was healing. My father stuck around for a little while, making sure I was okay, but eventually, he and William had to return to business.

---