Page 8 of Karrington

Ma released a nervous laugh as she stepped forward and grasped my arms. “I wasn’t suggesting you did, but I’m worriedabout you, baby. I leave in the morning, and I need to know someone is looking out for you.”

As her hand cupped my cheek, I made clear, “It’s not going to be her.”

“Then who? Because between you getting in public bar fights and—”

“Who told you about that?”

“Did you forget how small of a town Massie Manor is? Those people may have agreed not to tell the police you attacked that man, but they definitely have made you the center of their small town gossip.” Sighing, I lowered her hand from my face and took a step back. “You are the boss of all bosses, Karrington. You cannot allow your grief and anger to bring you out of yourself. You don’t get your hands dirty. What the hell were you thinking?”

“I was thinking he called me and my brothers niggas and deserved exactly what the fuck he got.”

My eyes shifted to Luna Ray. I didn’t want her to hear this conversation, but it was clear she didn’t plan on leaving. She avoided my eyes and nibbled her bottom lip.

“I don’t care what he said. You are not the enforcer anymore. You are the boss. Now I don’t know who you’re putting in place to be your replacement, but you need to do that soon. What happened last night can’t happen again.”

“Yes, ma’am,” was all I said, because she was right.

I didn’t know who I was going to make my enforcer either. I had the opportunity to completely restructure the mafia if I wanted to or keep my father’s men in place. It would have been easier to make the changes I wanted to make with my own men in place, so that was what I was leaning toward. I knew how important it was to my uncles that they and my cousins remain in positions of power, but I wasn’t willing to keep the family in charge just because they were family if there were better options.

“Do you need a ride home?” I asked Luna Ray.

Her eyes rolled briefly before she grabbed my hand and led me upstairs to the room I occupied when I was here. A part of me was impressed that she remembered how to get through the maze of their ten thousand square feet home. In the room, I immediately made my way to the wall table that had a silver tray on it. Pouring myself three fingers of whisky, I looked back at her and asked, “Do you want something to drink?”

She shook her head. I felt the warmth of her body and inhaled her honey apple scent, but neither prepared me to feel her arms wrap around me from behind.

“Lun—”

“Drinking isn’t going to stop the pain, Kare Bear. You need to let it out.”

My body went slack as I set the glass down. I turned in her arms, fully prepared to push her away, but she held me tighter.

“Luna Ray…”

Resting her chin on my chest, she looked up at me. When I could no longer take the intensity of her gaze, I squeezed my eyes shut. She held me tighter, running her hands up and down my back. I still hadn’t cried, but in that moment, in her arms, the tears came. And when they finally did come, they wouldn’t stop.

She led me over to the bed and began to undress me. With nothing but my boxers on, she ushered me into the bed and climbed in with me. I wasn’t sure how long we lay there—with her holding me, caressing me, comforting me—but by the time the tears stopped, I felt empty.

“I know this is a lot,” she said quietly. “Losing your father and having to take his place. Stepping into shoes that you probably weren’t expecting to have to wear so soon. But you can handle this, Karrington. Just… stay tapped into your needs. Take care of yourself, or you won’t be any good for anyone else.”

“Thank you.” I kissed the top of her head, finally feeling like my heart was slowly returning to normal. It wasn’t beating as hard and rapidly as it had been since the shooting. Didn’t seem so heavy and full.

Luna Ray looked up at me. She caressed my cheek. I caressed her back. Her fingers grazed my lips. My fingers gripped her ass. She tilted her head upward. I lowered mine. Tangling my fingers in her hair, I exhaled against her lips. As long as I’d been waiting for this moment, I couldn’t kiss her. Not while she was still married to him.

“I’m gonna have a car take you home.” I kissed her forehead. “Thank you for being here, but you should really go.”

I watched her as she climbed out of bed and straightened her dress and hair. Sitting up, I told myself to get up and do something, but the emotional release left me exhausted. It felt like I hadn’t slept since the shooting, and my body was finally about to shut down on me.

Luna Ray walked around the bed to get to my side. Her small hand wrapped around my neck, and she used it to pull me forward. After kissing my forehead, she rested hers against mine.

“I know things didn’t end well between us, but I’m here if you need me.”

Gripping her hands, I kissed them both. “While I appreciate the offer, more than you will ever know, it’s best if we don’t see each other again. You need to stay away from me, Luna Ray. What happened to my father is proof.”

Pulling away, she looked into my eyes. Her brows wrinkled and lips parted, but no words immediately came out.

“I know you’re right but—”

“No buts. I needed this, needed you. I haven’t… Ma was right. I needed this release. But you need to stay away from me. Not just because I want to keep you safe physically, but I don’t wantto be the reason you do anything to jeopardize your marriage. You’re not a cheater, Luna Ray, and neither am I. We got caught up in the moment but…”

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