Page 15 of Shredded Soul

“That outfit is in New York.”

Paine’s shoulders fell before he immediately perked up again. “Then you should wear that purple t-shirt and those jeans you bought yesterday. You look extra yummy in that too. And then you can wear the leather outfit for me when we go to bed tonight.”

Dread rose in Charon’s chest. He didn’t want to think Paine had lost thoughts again, but it seemed as if he had already forgotten what Charon had just said. “That outfit is in New York, baby,” Charon reminded him.

He looked confused, deepening Charon’s fears. “I know, but that’s where our home is, right? Don’t husbands live together?”

Relief and happiness poured through Charon. He tried to be realistic, though. Charon didn’t want to get his hopes too high. “That’s where one of our homes is, but are you ready to go there? I don’t have your hideaway there.”

Paine nodded, looking thoughtful. When he spoke, his voice came out sounding soft and trusting. “But you’ll keep me safe, right?”

“You’re pretty fucking deadly without me, but of course I will. I’ll never let anything happen to you again. That’s a vow.”

“Then I vow the same to you. Nothing bad will ever happen to you as long as I live.”

“You should probably seal that with a kiss.”

Paine slowly lowered his head until their lips met. It was the sweetest kiss, filled with promise. Charon knew then everything between them would always be good. They had survived the worst. Life might have broken them individually, but not together. Together, they were made of steel. They would always find their way.

Chapter Nine

Charon fought anxiety all the way to sealing their marriage with a kiss. He hadn’t expected to be so scared, but then he realized Paine could regress from stress at any second. Charon would love Paine, no matter what. He just wanted this one thing to go right for them. Things had gone fine. From there, they had gone straight to Charon’s waiting plane. Charon watched Paine eye every inch.

Paine finally crawled onto Charon’s lap. “I’d like to go visit Reed again now, please?”

Charon blinked. “You want to see Reed?”

Paine nodded. “Please?”

“Again?”

Paine shrugged. “We talked on his wedding day. Why do you think I left you a note to go to his wedding?”

That had happened. Reed was Charon’s friend. While Paine had been stalking Charon, toying with him, and taunting Charon’s inability to catch him, he had threatened to kill Reed if Charon saw him again. They were truly just friends. That hadn’t seemed to matter to Paine. He had wanted them apart. Then, out of nowhere, on Reed’s wedding day, Charon had received a note from Paine, ordering him to attend the wedding. He had done so, but Charon hadn’t seen Reed since. Charon hadn’t wanted to risk Reed’s life. It had never occurred to him Paine had talked to Reed, and that was why he had been allowed to go.

Apparently, his shocked silence must have gone on too long for Paine. Paine’s shoulders fell. “I won’t visit if you don’t want. It’s just that he’s your friend, and he was very kind to me.”

That didn’t surprise Charon. Reed was a good person. “Of course we can go see him. I just thought you wanted to go home so I can wear my leather for you.”

Paine looked serious and completely clearheaded. “We’ll still be doing that, but later.”

“All right.”

Charon settled in, cuddling with Paine. They held hands and kissed. Charon’s throat kept swelling. His eyes kept unexpectedly burning. There was no way anyone could understand the mental torment he had endured. This was the only man for him, and Charon had thought he was dead. Not just that. Charon thought he had killed him. Too many times to name, he had thought to end it all. But Charon had known he would not go where Paine had gone. Charon would be punished for all eternity while Paine rested on the Isle of the Blessed. Dying wouldn’t have brought them back together. Charon deserved to stay alive, suffering without his other half. But now here they were, married in the eyes of the law after years of being married in their hearts. Paine was back in his arms. No one could make them hurt each other anymore. Charon expected to wake any moment and find this was a dream. That terrified him.

“I’ve had hallucinations just like this one before,” Paine said, sounding sad. “They were so real and vivid. You held me and told me you loved me. We were warm and safe. I felt the sanest I’d been in years. Then I’d blink and none of it was real. I’m so fucking scared this isn’t real.” Paine’s voice cracked.

Charon tilted Paine’s head back so he could look into his eyes. “This is real.” He dipped his head and bit Paine’s bottom lip.

Paine moaned.

A chuckle slipped from Charon’s lips. “See? It’s real.”

Paine snuggled back into Charon’s arms. “Good.”

A bright smile pulled at the corners of his lips. Charon’s grin didn’t fade all the way to New York. He likely looked like a crazy person. But Paine held his hand the entire drive to Reed’s house, and Charon felt amazing. Then he pulled into Reed’s driveway, and he wasn’t as sure how this would go. A hint of nervousness creeped in. More than anything, Charon wasn’t sure how Alastair would react to meeting Paine. He knew Alastair would never harm him. Charon was just uneasy for likely no reason at all. As they walked hand in hand to the door, it hit Charon. He wanted Alastair to like Paine. They were friends. He cared about Alastair’s opinion. When the fuck had that happened?

Charon rang the doorbell. He wanted to hope they weren’t home, but Alastair’s truck was in the driveway.

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