Page 155 of Rugger: The Huntress

“Which is why I’ll find you in the next one and all the ones after.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

The St. Catana sun kissed my skin, welcoming me back to the island with open arms. Chem ushered me to the awaiting SUV as I soaked up every ray it decided to spare. I’d seen enough dark days. I was ready to discover the other side of grief. I was aware that it wouldn’t come easy, but it would come, nonetheless.

Chem slid in beside me. I rested my head on his shoulder. For the first time, the island felt likehome. It was exactly where I needed to be for the healing to begin – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I looped my pinky around Chem’s. When I lifted my hand and his in the air and shook them from one side to another, he nodded.

“Between us.”

“Between us,” he assured me.

My secret wasn’t his to tell and I had no doubt that he’d keep it to himself.

“Not even Egypt.”

“Not even Egypt, baby. It’s safe with me.”

I closed my eyes, knowing that I didn’t have anything to worry about. Chemistry would make good on his word.

The wheels of the truck stopped spinning shortly after we’d pulled away from the plane. It felt too soon. I wasn’t quite ready to exit. I wasn’t quite ready to be alone. I wasn’t quite ready to face the facts.

“We’re here, Rugger.”

“I know,” I yawned, lifting my head from his shoulder.

If I wanted, Chem would stay in the truck just as we were until the fuel ran low. But, it wasn’t necessary. I needed my bed.

“You need some rest.”

I nodded, agreeing with him as he helped me down and onto the ground. He let us both inside of my home with the master key that fit every door in our compound. I didn’t make a single stop. My bedroom had summoned me from the plane. I peeled the covers back and slid underneath them. My knees reached my chest as my eyes closed. In a ball, I laid, awaiting the inevitable.

8:16p

Darkness surrounded me. I patted the linen in search of my phone. Once located, I tapped the screen.

“Eight hours,” I groaned, realizing how long I’d been down.

I stretched my arms toward the sky. Exhaustion was no longer weighing heavy on me, but there were a hundred other things waiting in line to nail me back to the bed for another eight hours.

My feet touched the floor once I’d loosened my limbs. I headed to the bathroom to empty my bladder and clean myself up. When I returned to the bedroom ten minutes later, I searched for my slippers. They were quickly discovered underneath the bed, beside a black pair that didn’t belong to me.

I lowered my body onto the ground and lifted both slippers into my hand.

“You did a number on me, Sonnie,” I sighed. “I don’t think this pain will ever free me from this cell. I’m a prisoner.”

I stared at the perfectly stitched fabric. The slippers had been a gift from my mother.

“Rhea– she was so happy to meet you. She’d waited for the day a man stole my heart. And, I’d be damned if you hadn’t. I appreciate you so much for allowing me to experience love.

“Though our time together was swift, it was a moment in time I’ll never forget. You were my soulmate. You were my person. They’ll never be another you, Sonnie. I miss you so much it hurts. You have destroyed me, completely.

“But, you have made me so much stronger in the process. I’m going to kill them all, baby. Everyone that had anything to do with the pain I’m feeling has to die. No one will survive my wrath. My rest won’t be in vain. I will study. I will train.

“And, I will avenge your death. I will make you proud, Sonnie, baby. Your death means war and I doubt that they have an idea of the amount of turmoil I will cause.”

“Rightfully so,” Chem added.

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