Page 83 of Devil's Queen

I am reminded of the fragility of life and how it can be snatched away in an instant, but also how it can endure against all odds. This near-death experience has taught me to appreciate every breath and moment spent with those I love.

“Marry me, Rem.”

“What?”

“Marry me.”

Rem’s eyes widen, her tears still glistening on her cheeks. She looks at me with surprise and joy, the emotions battling within her. I can see the turmoil, the fear of rushing into something so monumental after everything we’ve been through. But I also see the love shining through and the longing for a future together. I’d wasted eight years protecting her from the life that still found her. I’m not going to waste a single second longer sitting on the sidelines.

“I know that you don’t believe in marriage. But life is short, and we’ve already lost so much time. I don’t want to waste another second without making sure you’re mine forever.”

“I’ve always been yours,” she breathes out, her voice shaky. “I don’t need a ring for that. I just need you.”

“You have me. Heart and fucking soul, but I want all of you. The good, the bad… the bed hogging. You don’t have to say yes now, but when and if you’re ready, I’m yours. The minute I’m out of this hospital bed, I will show you just how fucking much I want to claim you.”

“You’ve got a long road to recovery ahead of you.” She smiles, wiping away tears from her face.

“You underestimate the power of how much I want to fuck you, baby. Sexual healing can work wonders for the body.”

She rolls her eyes at me while she laughs. “You’re never going to learn to be patient, are you?”

“I’ve been patient long enough.”

As our hands remain interlocked, I take solace in knowing that we have overcome the darkest of times together. The scars may mark our bodies, but they are a testament to our resilience and the depth of our love. A love we’ve fought for. Bled for. Nothing can come between us now.

I don’t know what the future will hold for us, but we’ll survive it.

A devil and his queen against the fucking world.

REX

Coming home never felt sogood as it did when I came home from the hospital. I’d left this house with just Birdie and came home with Rem and Beaux with me, gaining the family I had always wanted. The one I had dreamed about growing up.

But getting them here wasn’t easy. With Ameline staying with her sister, Kitty, for the time being, I’d finally convinced Rem and Beaux to move in with Birdie and me instead of renting an Airbnb while we figured out our living situation. She’d fought me tooth and nail, insisting she was going home, but with Pike’s murder, the house held too many bad memories for her and her mom. Going back there would only make the guilt I know she feels for his death worse.

The old bastard would haunt me if I let that happen. He’d loved her as the daughter he never had and loved her when her father was no longer here to do it for himself. Letting him down after he’s gone was never an option. I hadn’t gotten to say my goodbyes or attend the funeral, but I could give him this as a final gift. On the way home from the hospital, Rem had taken me by his grave so I could see it. I smiled when I realized they’d buried him next to Rene—best friends in life and death. Unable to visit on my own, I’d left there with a promise to come back once I was out of my cast with a bottle of whiskey just for him.

After being home for two weeks with two hovering kids, I finally settle into the rhythm of our new life. Rem and Beaux were adjusting surprisingly well, given the circumstances. Birdie, always a wild card, took on the role of annoying little sister with ease.

Every morning as I hobbled down the hallway to the kitchen, I found Miss Blanche with Rem at her side already busy whipping up a breakfast feast for all of us. The two of them are like two old ladies gossiping at the hair salon. Miss Blanche, of course, had seen to it that Rem heard about everything that had gone on while we were apart, going so far as to tell her about the lack of women around the house and how she had to take pity on me to help me raise Birdie, laying it on as thick as she puts powdered sugar on her beignets.

Despite the constant attacks and barbs from them at my expense, seeing Rem so relaxed makes me happier than I could have imagined.

This morning is no different. The sound of laughter echoes from the kitchen, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Rem’s mischievous smile and Miss Blanche’s hearty laughter fill the room with infectious joy.

“What’s happening in here?” I ask, leaning against the doorway.

Rem turns to me with a sly grin, wearing a dab of flour on her cheek. “Nothing,” she lies.

I step closer to them, wiping the flour away from her face and showing it to her. “Doesn’t look like nothing.” I try to peer over them to see what’s on the stove, but Miss Blanche swats me with her wooden spoon.

“It’s not ready yet.”

“What isn’t ready?” The warm aroma of simmering spices from the pot on the stove wafts toward me. “If it smells that good, I know Rem didn’t make it.” Both smack me this time.

“Ouch,” I tease. “Injured man here.”

“Not injured enough unless my ears deceived me last night,” Miss Blanche mutters under her breath. “Young people don’t seem to remember that sound travels fast when the windows aren’t closed. The whole neighborhood heard you two. You scared Ms. Watson to death. She thought an animal was attacking her stray cat. It’s a wonder you didn’t wake up the kids.”

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