Page 76 of Chase

“You tell yourself that,” I say, shaking my head.

“I do, and I will.” Hunter turns and walks toward the private elevator. “And I sleep like a baby every fucking night,” he calls over his shoulder as he leaves.

Chapter thirty

Russell’s Penthouse, The Level

Russell

When I return to my apartment, the smell of freshly cooked food hits me hard as I enter. I step into my home and make my way directly to the kitchen, but instead of finding Mrs. D as I expect, it’s Samantha behind the stovetop.

“You hungry?” she asks with a smile. “A free man’s food will always taste better than an incarcerated one.”

“Slight dramatization, Trouble. My leg was in a cast. I wasn’t locked up.” I limp over to her, my foot still swollen and the relief of freedom still throbbing. “I can’t believe it took so long to get this damn thing off.” My arms slide around her middle as I stand behind her, bend, and lean my chin on her shoulder.

“Well, if you won't heal as the doctors tell you to, then you need the medical intervention for longer.” She giggles softly as I blow on her neck before placing my lips on her skin.

“Are you saying I was badly behaved?”

“Always, but I like it,” she whispers, keeping her eyes fixed on what I assume is chili in the pot she is stirring. “Being a good boy wouldn’t suit you.”

“You like bad boys, Trouble?”

“I’m with you, aren’t I?”

“And what about my brother? Is he good or bad?” She freezes in my arms, her anxiousness about discussing the situation clear. “It’s okay; there are no secrets. It’s alright to mention you and him in front of me. I’m well aware of the situation.”

“Connor isn’t too keen to talk about you.” Once again, she falls silent, and I sense her mood dipping from jovial to melancholy. It would be easy to think, as Hunter does, that Samantha has all the perks of her current romantic setup, but I know she’s really struggling with the conflict. Both the ongoing one between my brother and myself, and also one within her.

“That’s not surprising. He’s always been the more sensitive of the two of us. Even though he started all this with his suggestion, I believe he struggles most.” She turns in my arms, blinking up at me with wide eyes. “I’ve thought a lot about walking away, leaving you both to be happy. Perhaps that would be best before we take things any further.”

“Where did you come from?” she asks, her voice quiet.

“Who?”

“This man here.” Five fine fingers with bright red nails drop to my chest and spread over my heart. “The sane and considerate one. The man who thinks of putting others before himself. Where is the unhinged, possessive lunatic I met?”

“He’s still here, but he’s fallen for a girl whose happiness is the most important thing in his world. He’s learned to control his darkness so others aren’t hurt by his actions.”

“Could you really let me go? After waiting all this time, could you allow me to walk away and create a life only with Connor?” she asks. We hold each other's gaze, lost in the words of the question asked. Before I can answer, she does.

“Because I can’t. Even if it’s only once, I need this to happen. I need you to make love to me.” She rises up on tiptoe, kissing me softly. When she pulls back, tears run down her cheeks. “Why does this feel like the beginning of the end?”

“Because it is,” I say, my heart breaking. “We’re all moving closer to a conclusion with each day that passes, even though we don’t know the outcome.”

I should tell her about the agreement Connor and I made before taking her to bed, but I want no more distractions or difficult conversations. Despite knowing I should walk away and allow the two people I love most to be happy, I’ll be selfish one last time. She will be partly mine for a short while, but I accept he’ll always be her first choice. She was his first, after all.

What started as a competition became a lifeline to my soul. Samantha has shown me I can love and be loved in return. But she was never mine to keep, and I know that now. My mother told me as a small boy to enjoy each moment as we are never guaranteed tomorrow. That advice means more today than it ever will. My moments with Samantha will be cherished long after my fingertips leave her skin.

“Come with me,” I say. “Switch this all off, and come spend time with me.”

She turns to remove the pot from the stovetop then twists the dial to zero. I take her fingers before leading her onto the outdoor terrace beyond the glass sliding doors. We weave slowly through the pots laid out across the space, me walking stiffly a fraction in front and her following behind.

As we round the corner, my infinity pool comes into view. It’s pristine, crystal clear water glinting under the warm summer sun.

We come to a stop at the edge of the pool, and I turn to face her. She smiles softly up at me, her cheeks highlighted with a soft pink glow. “Do you know how often I’ve thought about bringing you out here, Trouble?” I say.

“I would assume a lot.”

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