Page 86 of Darkness

Getting out of bed, I wrap my arms around Autumn, I feel her muscles relax against me. Her arms are tight around me, as if she’s scared of losing me again, her tears fall onto the fabric of my shirt. The sound of her sobs echoes in the small space between us. I hold her close and let her cry, knowing this is what she needs right now.

“I…I was so…scared.” She stutters on the words, but I don’t say anything to her, because I can see how scared she was, and right now no words will help her. Kissing the top of her head, I pull her away from me, and she finally looks up at me.

Wiping the tears away from her cheeks, I smile. “I’m a hard man to kill, I’m not going anywhere.” I lean down and kiss her. I’ve missed her lips and missed her touch.

“Please don’t joke about this. You can’t leave me.” She grips my t-shirt and looks down at my chest. “You were shot, twice, and I was scared-”

“Autumn, I have no plans on leaving you. You’re stuck with me for a long time, because you are my English Rose, and I love you so fucking much-” Her lips crash into mine before I can finish what I wanted to say, but her whole body feels relaxed next to mine, so I don’t care. Finally she pulls away from me, and smiles. “I love you, Autumn-Rose.”

“I love you so much, Cain.” She blinks and more tears escape her beautiful eyes.

“Why are you crying?” I ask her.

“Because I’ve found my Prince Charming, and he loves me.” I can’t help but laugh.

“I’m no Prince Charming, but I can be the dark romantic villain.” I kiss her once again, all I want to do is kiss her every second of the day.

“I’ll take it. I’ll take you anyway I can.” She smiles, which I wasn’t sure I would see her do for a while, but it's a beautiful sight. “Shall we go out, not sure what your brothers are going tothink we are doing. They are some characters aren’t they? And did you know Miles doesn’t even need his glasses, he just wears them because he thinks it gives him character. Seriously?” she asks, and I say nothing, because they probably have kept it quiet for her.

She goes to walk away from me, but I pull her back, and kiss her once again. Leaning my forehead on hers, my hand softly placed on the side of her neck.

“I’m sorry for bringing you into my darkness, but I promise nothing will ever happen to you. I can’t lose you, my heart can’t take it.” My voice is low and soft, because I need her to know how much she means to me, not just now, but until my last breath.

“And mine can’t take losing you,” she whispers back.

Everything around us fades into a blur as we stand in silence, lost in our own world. Her body fits perfectly against mine, her warmth seeping through my clothes and igniting a fire within me. I hold her close, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against my skin, a comforting reminder she's here with me. The moment feels suspended in time, and I never want it to end.

Taking her hand in mine, we leave the bedroom, and Aunt Jane is the first one to wrap her arms around me, followed by Uncle David, and then the boys. Lincoln stays where he is, and I turn to face him.

“You had me scared there for a minute, you fucker. Don’t do it again.” He walks over to me, and pulls me into a bear hug, patting my back a few times, which fucking hurts, proving my body needs time to heal.

I look around, surprised I don’t see mom. “I said to call her, but your Uncle said no,” Aunt Jane informs me, and I give Uncle David a nod, because I’m happy with his decision.

“Time to catch me up.” I turn to Lincoln, because I know he’s the only one who will tell me everything and not worry about pissing me off.

“These four have been enjoying the sixth floor, they said they can’t leave the building, and have an itch they need fixing-”

“It was meant to stay between us,” Mason and Hayden both joke with Lincoln, and I shake my head at them both.

“The fifth floor is out of service, a fight broke out, full of assholes, and before you say anything, the asshole is paying for the damages. Rowan is here, and has made-” Lincoln stops when I put my hand up and turn to Autumn.

“I think this is something you should have mentioned.” She smiles, not sure why, because I’m annoyed this is something she should have told me. I knew Yang had connected with Rowan, and if he wanted to bring him to the States, it would have been while I was shot, and fighting to live. It would be when Autumn was vulnerable, and could get to her. I know Yang well enough to know how his mind is working, he’s going to hit me with everything he can, and Rowan is going to be part of the game plan, I just won’t know how yet.

“You said I love you to me, I wasn’t going to ruin your mood.” Autumn’s smile is even bigger now.

“Fuck, you said it?”

“Oh my God, the man has a heart.”

“Fucking hell.”

The guys all say something in shock, a part of me doesn’t blame them for being surprised.

“You know I'm not dead inside,” I snap at them all, and they all start laughing.

“Are you sure?”

“Could have fooled us.”

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