Page 17 of Grim Justice

Pulling out, I flipped her over, draping my body over hers as I reentered her tight channel. Heavy-lidded eyes locked on mine as I began to slowly fuck her a second time.

My mouth lowered to hers, latching with a fevered kiss. “I fucking love you, Trish.”

“I’ll love you until the day I die, Dex, maybe longer.”

With our breaths mingling, I picked up the pace.

We didn’t get much sleep after that.

Chapter 6 Trish

“Iforgot how different it is here,” Faith observed. “The pulse of life is so much faster. In Ohio, it feels slower and more relaxed. Here, everything feels rushed, like people are afraid life will pass them by if they don’t hurry.”

“Yeah, I can see that. It’s the West Coast. Cali, Nevada, and Washington. Always a hustle.”

“I don’t miss it,” she laughed.

No, I didn’t think she did.

I sat back against the bench, where we stopped to let Jessa and Creed run off some of their excess energy. The duo climbed all over a massive jungle gym area with slides and animals. I liked coming here because of the kid-friendly sculpted foam used to create the different elements. It was safe and always kept clean, plus the enclosed area meant my little wild child couldn’t run out without me catching him since I stayed close to the only entry/exit.

“I think I would feel that way, too, if not for Grim and the club. There’s consistency in their way of life that doesn’t change. It’s a bit crazy at times, but I love it.”

“It’s a good fit for you. When you first dated Grim, I worried you’d end up hurt, or he’d become violent. I’m glad I was wrong.” Faith reached for my hand and squeezed it. “I’m sorry I left you to deal with our dad and Moby’s shit. I know it wasn’t easy.”

She didn’t know the details. I never told her Moby was the reason I miscarried. She knew he was to blame for our father’s death, but she also knew the man who raised us was a lazy piece of shit who only cared about himself.

I gulped as I fought to swallow the sudden lump in my throat. God. Thinking of that mess dragged so much shit back up fromthe past—things I wanted to forget because they didn’t matter now. I wouldn’t let the people who hurt me have that kind of control, especially now that they were gone.

“It’s okay. I get why you left. You needed to escape.” I shrugged. “I should have done it sooner myself.”

“Trish. I should have been there for you.”

“You’re here now. We don’t have to let the past come back and haunt us.”

“I suppose you’re right. I just feel guilty,” she admitted. “When you came to visit before Creed was born, I could see how traumatized you were from all the shit that happened. I really am sorry, sis.”

“I know. All is forgiven. Truly.” I hugged my sister, blinking back tears. Her words meant a lot to me because there was a time I would have done anything to hear them.

It was a full-circle moment. I realized just how far I had come, clawing my way back after a severe depression. I thought my life was over when I lost my baby, and things ended with Grim. They were dark days. But now, I could see how going through that experience enabled me to appreciate the present.

I’d fought to heal and find my way back to Grim. We had Creed. All the loss and sacrifice seemed worth it, although I would never wish anyone to go through what I did. It was fucking awful.

But now? I could say I was truly happy.

“You’re different,” Faith observed. “Stronger. At peace, too, I think.”

“I am,” I agreed.

We turned to the kids, watching Jessa beat Creed to an enormous turtle. He pouted, stomping his foot.

“My turtle, Jess!”

Faith sighed. “My daughter, always the one causing trouble.”

I laughed as she hopped up, rushing to the kids.

My shoulders relaxed as I released a breath, finally able to say that I had reached a point in my life where I felt the ghosts of my past couldn’t harm me. I felt free.

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