Page 151 of Thorns of Malice

"How—"

I put my finger over her lips. "It'll all come to light soon. You'll know everything. Just trust me." I search her eyes, expecting her to tell me she never will, that I've lost my privileges to her trust forever, but, for the first time since she's returned, I don't see it.

Her face relaxes, and she says, "Okay, Dax."

I cautiously question, "Are you saying you trust me?"

She leans over and softly kisses me. She retreats, answering, "I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt."

Happiness fills me, and joy I haven't felt in a long time makes me dizzy. Still, I push, "You are?"

She nods. "Yes. But how are these things in my name?"

"Because I put you on the businesses."

"But how?" she questions.

I try not to laugh. "Baby girl, this is what I do. These are things up my alley."

She still looks skeptical.

"I can assure you that your name is on the restaurant, vineyard, and the winery. I'll show you the paperwork when we get to my place tonight. It's in my safe."

She arches her eyebrows. "Your place?"

My heart beats harder. "It's time you returned to my bed where you belong," I declare.

Her lips twitch, and I once again want to pump my fist in the air, feeling like I'm finally winning points with her, but then her face turns serious. "Dax, I want to trust you fully again. I'd love to move forward with you—with us—but I keep wondering how it's possible."

"It is possible," I assure her.

She hesitates and adds, "If it's possible, then you're going to have to give me honest answers to questions about subjects I doubt you want to discuss."

My stomach flips, but I don't blame her. "Ask me what you want. I promise you, I won't lie."

"You swear you won't?" she questions, and I wish she didn't have to ask me that, but once again, I can't blame her.

I pick up her hand and kiss the back of it. "Yeah, baby girl. I promise you, I won't lie."

"Okay, then." She takes another sip of wine and picks up a piece of bread. She butters it, sets it on my plate, and does the same with hers. She offers, "Why don't you have some bread first?"

"It's okay, we can talk first."

"No, you said you're hungry, so eat a piece." She takes a bite and groans. She chews, swallows, and declares, "This is so good."

I laugh, confessing, "I love that you still eat carbs."

She grins. "Well, you better eat your bread, or I'll eat yours too."

I take a bite and groan.

She laughs.

I wash it down with a sip of wine.

She says, "It is good, isn't it?"

"Mm-hmm," I hum in agreement.

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