Page 108 of Sunrise Malice

But she ignores me and levers herself up, leaning on me for support. I grab her arm and help as she takes a couple tentative steps, face contorted in concentration. Then she lets me lower her back down.

“See, I’m a fucking champion.” She beams at me, sweating slightly from the exertion.

Well, so much for not crying. Tears stream down my face. She’s been working so freaking hard for the last few months, and that’s the first time I’ve seen her actually walk. The doctors said moving her from the mansion set her back and they weren’t sure she’d ever heal properly, but that’s not stopping Kim from pushing herself to the limits and proving all of them wrong.

She’ll always be in pain. We don’t talk about it, but it’s the truth. Even if she does start walking again, it’ll always hurt, no matter how much mobility she regains.

But I’m determined to support her, no matter what. And not only because I feel guilty. I want to be there because that’s what a good friend does.

“What are you two little birds sobbing about in here?” Valentina sweeps into the room, practically beaming. I wipe my face and try to smile back as Kim smacks my butt affectionately.

“I walked a couple steps and now our resident crybaby here’s having a panic attack.”

“I’m fine, okay? I’m totally fine.” I get myself together as Valentina bends down to give Kim a kiss on the cheek before coming over to hug me.

“Get yourself together, sweetie,” she murmurs, squeezing me tight. “Strength and all that, right? Like the boys say.”

“The boys are idiots,” I say back, but she’s right. Kim needs me to be strong right now, and crying at every little thing isn’t exactly projecting the sort of confidence I want to feel.

Val and Kim start chatting about the direction of the mansion’s reconstruction. I follow after them as Val takes control of Kim’s chair, pushing her down the hall and closer to where the workers are busy expanding the living room and removing the industrial kitchen. “No more staff,” Valentina says, sounding almost wistful. “You have no idea how lucky you would be if you had staff.”

“We don’t need them,” I say, waving the idea off. “At least, we don’t need an entire kitchen’s worth of employees. Just maybe a chef or two.”

Val and Kim both laugh at me, and I grin in return. Just because I’m trying to simplify our life doesn’t mean I’m going to give up on the comforts.

Julien’s been busy building the business again. He lost a lot of strength thanks to the brief war with Dusan, but he’s been able to cobble together a coalition of former employees and new members that seems shockingly resilient. He’s back on the old corners and running product just the way he used to, all thanks to his deals with Ronan and the product flowing through the Irish channels.

Life won’t ever be the same as it was. That’s what Julien says, anyway. But personally, I think that’s great.

Now we have friends. Ronan and Julien aren’t ever going to be besties—but Valentina and I are. I see her at least once or twice a week when I stop by the Hayes house for breakfast, and sometimes Julien even comes with me. We’re building a life together, and of everything that’s happened since Pascal was sold back to France, that’s been the most satisfying.

“How long until this mess is done, anyway?” Valentina asks me as we head back to the front of the house.

“I’m thinking another few months, but it’s hard to say. Julien’s been bribing everyone to get it done faster.”

“This is a lot of house for just two people.” Valentina’s grin is sly and very much suggestive. “You’re going to have to find a way to fill it up.”

“She means with kids,” Kim says.

“Yeah, thanks, I figured that one out.” We stop in the entry hall. “They’re coming eventually. Julien’s been impatient, but I want to enjoy some time together first, you know?”

“Your body, your choice,” Kim says, nodding her head. “Don’t let that asshole try to pressure you.”

Julien’s voice drifts in from the office a few feet away. “She’s the one begging me to get her pregnant.” He appears, leaning against the door with a smirk and his arms crossed over his muscular chest. “Don’t let her fool you.”

“Gross,” Kim says, wrinkling her nose. “But hey, Julien. Cool house.”

“Thanks, and you’re looking good.”

“You like my new accessory?” She does a little spin with the chair.

Valentina takes Kim and pushes her to the door. “That’s our cue to head out.”

“Don’t rush on my account,” Julien says, but he doesn’t sound like he means it.

I say goodbye to the girls and promise to meet up with them in a little while. I help Kim get into Valentina’s truck, and once they’re heading out, I meet back up with Julien in the front room.

The space is empty like all the others, but it’s closer to being finished. Built-in custom bookshelves, a working fireplace with a vintage mantel made from local tiles, and a gorgeous rug covers the polished hardwood floors. Julien pulls me into his arms and kisses me right underneath the recessed lighting.

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