Page 12 of Tears of Revenge

“And Varos not disagreeing only proves that you truly do nothing,” Ava laughed, earning a heart-stopping grin from Marcus.

“Would you ever want to move away from here?” Varos asked, changing the subject.

“I’ve thought about it.”

“But?”

“So far it’s been quiet and well, Troy hasn’t shown up yet. I’m afraid if I do move to somewhere I’ve always dreamed of, he’ll find me. Maybe it’s a false sense of security but Houston has become my safe place.”

Varos’s brows fused as he studied her closer. “Do you think he’s still looking for you after all these years?”

She shrugged. “He’s always been very possessive—he doesn’t react well to people taking what belongs to him. Maybe it’s not for me specifically but for some sort of revenge, you know?”

Varos gently laid a hand on her shoulder. “There are millions of people out there. I don’t think you have to worry about him anymore.”

“Thanks to you two. You changed my life and I don’t think I can ever thank you enough.”

“You would’ve found the strength to leave him eventually. We only helped you do it much sooner.” Marcus’s voice was soft as he reached out and twisted a strand of her hair around his finger. “The dreams you had of leaving him would’ve turned into plans eventually. I’m sure of it.”

She let out a dreamy sigh, drowning in Marcus’s deep green eyes while angling her body closer to Varos. “I never stopped thinking about you two. I always wondered what happened to you or if I’d ever see you again.”

“You’ve crossed the path of our thoughts many times before too,” Varos softly admitted. “We always wished the best for you.”

“We’re glad to see you so happy.”

Marcus dropped her hair, cupping her jaw in his hand just as he had that magical night four years ago. His touch was cool, just like she’d remembered, wrapping her in a safe, familiar feeling. She leaned into his touch, shivering when Varos’s fingertips traced a path of goosebumps down her arm. Closing her eyes, she soaked in their caresses and Varos’s smooth lips finding her shoulder.

“Thank you,” she sighed.

“We enjoy every minute we get with you,” Marcus hummed, softly pressing his lips to her forehead.

She wasn’t sure how long she stood there and let them hold her, needing to feel their security and admiration. They didn’t force anything, only giving her what felt natural—what felt good. They only separated once she opened her eyes and took in a deep breath.

They finished their paintings in a comfortable kind of silence that left them at ease. She took breaks occasionally, taking advantage of the refreshments table set up in the corner, but Varos and Marcus seemed too embedded in their paintings to worry about food.

“I think I’m done,” Marcus announced proudly after another hour had passed.

Ava stepped up beside him and couldn’t help but smile. “I like it.”

“I like yours more, but I don’t think I can make mine any better.”

“I think you did fantastic for your first painting.”

“Definitely better than I did,” Varos laughed. “Half of my plants look like aliens.”

“Ah, futuristic,” she tried to assure him. “I love them both.”

Varos returned to the reservation. “It says here to leave the paintings to dry and we’ll get notified when we can collect them.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

“Would you like us to drive you home or would you rather us get you a cab?” Marcus asked as the clean-up efforts began.

She stiffened. She hadn’t had guests in her new home yet. Before she could find the words to voice that, Varos gently took her hand.

“I’ll call you a cab,” he told her. “I don’t feel comfortable letting you take the bus this late at night. You don’t seem quite ready to show us your home yet either—and that’s just fine. We only want you to feel safe.”

“Thank you.”

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