Page 9 of Dark Embrace

“Anything.”

“If something happens and I die before you, don’t stop loving. Promise me that you’ll find someone else and make her as happy as you’ve made me.” I wipe the tears from my eyes and smile up at him. “Your heart's too big to stop loving people.”

“I’ll never love anybody the way that I love you.” He says, his voice full of certainty.

“If I die, find a harem to replace me.” I laugh, trying to lighten the mood so we can get ready to leave.

He throws his head back in laughter and all of the worry leaves my body. “You want me to find a gaggle of girls that my brothers approve of? I’d be better off jumping in the grave behind you.”

“I better live to see ninety, in that case.” I stand on my tippy toes and kiss him, hoping he can feel every single ounce of love I hold for him.

Chapter 9

Rune

After arriving at home, I park my Nova in the garage and grab my car cover from one of the shelves, covering her up to sit for the winter. Pennsylvania weather is wild, we’ve gotten snow once this year, and it only stuck to the ground for a few hours. Our first big storm is set to hit tonight, so I need to tuck my baby away for the winter.

“Do you need a minute alone with her?” Cali asks from somewhere behind me.

“Shut it.” I say over my shoulder before tapping the hood twice and walking to push the button on the wall. The garage doors close as I grab Cali’s hand and lead her through the small door. As we climb the stairs, I admire the lights and small trees my mother has decorated. Red icicle lights dangle from the roof of the small porch, and the walkways have trees on either side. “Mom must have got here early.” I smile when the front door swings open, and a sea of long black hair races toward me.

“My baby!” She squeals, wrapping her arms around me and squeezing me tight.

“Hi, Mom.” I smile, hugging her back.

“I’ve missed you both.” She hugs Cali and kisses her cheek. My heart fills with joy at the sight, but the joy quickly turns into annoyance when Karrion stalks toward us. My mom puts her hand against his chest and points to the door. “Let them get inside before you start with your bullshit, Elias.”

The prick winks at me as he wraps an arm around Calista and leads her into the house. I follow them inside, the annoyance turning to jealousy as she laughs at something he says before they disappear around the corner. I start to follow after them, but my father catches my attention in the kitchen, waving me toward him. Sighing, I walk through the living room, saying hi to my brothers as I pass them.

“Should it bother me that Karrion has both of our girls in the office right now?” Silas asks as he claps me on the back.

“Probably.” I shrug, taking the drink my father offers me. “He’s probably giving them all sorts of ideas how to torture us.”

“Your brother tells me you finally popped the question.” My dad starts, draping his arm over my shoulders. “Congratulations!”

“Yeah, it’s fantastic news.” Silas rolls his eyes and walks to the couch, jumping over the back like he doesn’t have any home training.

“What’s going on?” Dad asks, looking between Silas and I. That’s one of the worst things about this house, how open it is. There’s no privacy unless you’re in the office or the bedrooms upstairs.

I take a sip of my drink, waiting for Si to speak up. When he doesn’t, my father slaps his hands down on the island. “I’m not talking to the wall, Merrick.”

“Oooohhhhh. Somebody is in big trouble, dad brought out the government name, Merrick.” Karrion taunts from the archwaythat separates the foyer from the living room/ dining room/ kitchen clusterfuck. Seriously, I can’t stand open concept shit.

“Go fuck yourself, Karrion.” I spit, taking another swig of my drink. “Nothing is going on, Dad, Silas is just being a dick.”

“I’m not being a dick, I’m being realistic.” Silas counters, making his way over to me. He stops a few inches away and glares at me before speaking again. “Not even an hour after you ditched her at her parents, she’s texting her old plug.”

“So she’s never allowed to fuck up?” Karrion questions, pushing off the archway and stomping over, he pushes Silas back a step, getting in his face. “She didn’t meet him, she didn’t take anything.”

“Look at you, a knight in shining fucking armor.” Silas seethes, pushing against Karrion’s chest.

“Put your dicks away and sit the fuck down.” Alaric growls. I didn’t even realize he was home, but that’s normal, the man could sneak up on anybody and they’d never hear him coming. “It’s Christmas and you three want to act like babies.”

“Please don’t fight,” Mom speaks up, “your father and I only have a few hours until we need to be on the plane, I don’t want to spend our time here as referees.”

The tension flees the room instantly and everyone takes a few steps back. Karrion storms out of the room and returns a few moments later with both girls behind him. Cali comes to my side, locking our fingers and squeezing gently.

“Rune, this is Marley.” She says as the brunette reaches her hand out to shake mine. “Marley, this is my fiancee, Rune.”

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