Page 74 of Golden Atonement

I smirked. “I agree, but there is one problem. I love him. I have since I was eight years old. There will never be another for me. Only him.”

Facing him, I asked, “What will you do now?”

“Go back to New York. Maxim has need of me.”

I nodded, turning to look at the clubhouse again.

“We’ll be on different sides of the country again.”

“Would you feel better if I were closer?”

I shrugged. “I don’t see how that’s possible. You live in New York. My family is here in California.”

“It’s only a short flight, Remi.”

“I know,” I muttered, taking a deep breath. “Do you ever wish things could have been different?”

“We only have one life to live, Remi. Our destinies were written long before either of us were ever born.”

“It just sucks, you know. All I ever wanted was a happy life. Instead, I got the complete opposite.”

“Life isn’t easy, Remi. You know that better than anyone. You now have a chance at your greatest desire. I think what scares you is the fear of actually obtaining it. Life with Reaper will never be easy. You knew that going into the relationship, but you weathered the storm and now you have a chance of happiness at your fingertips. All you have to do is reach out and grab it, sweetheart.”

“What about you?”

He smirked. “I’m too old for happily ever after. I’m too set in my ways. No, it’s better if I just live my life and when my time comes, maybe I’ve done just enough good in this life to have a second chance in the next one.”

“I think if I can get a second chance. You can too.”

Shaking his head, he squeezed my hand. “Enough about me, my little lion. What are you going to do because we cannot sit here all day?”

Taking a deep breath, I nodded, then leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Vladmir. For everything.”

“It was my honor.”

“Call me when you have time, okay?”

“I will.”

Releasing his hand, I tried to contain the rush of emotions that ravaged my soul when I slid from the car. Closing the door behind me, I stood firm, shoulders back, determined.

“Dad?”

“Yes, Remi.”

“Promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“If you ever get the opportunity for a second chance, grab it with both hands and never let go.”

Not waiting for a reply, I fearlessly walked toward my future and prayed I was doing the right thing.

MAY 17, 2024

Reaper

“Okay,” Player said, looking at the legal pad in front of him. “So, this is the new lineup. Bullseye has begrudgingly and reluctantly accepted the VP position.”

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