Page 135 of Roses and Skulls

“Minding my own business, just like you should be doing.”

He laughs heartily. “God, I’ve missed you.”

I stick my tongue out and walk backwards in front of him. He stills. “Don’t you even think about it, Rosie. I’ll catch you.”

My eyebrow cocks in challenge. “I’m pretty fast,” I warn, taking a few more steps back.

He licks his lips, biting the ball of his tongue piercing. My feet stop, unable to move as I stare at the sexiest man on the planet. All dark ink, piercings, and the hottest smirk on his face. And then I run, wanting nothing more than for him to catch me.

In minutes he has me pinned to a tree; my hands trapped in his hand above my head. His nose runs along my cheek. “You want me to take you here, baby?”

My eyes dart around, stopping on the very spot Draven took his last breath.

“I-I, no.”

He steps back, holding out his hands.

“Where’re we going then, baby? Cause I need you, real bad. It’s been way too long.” He groans, his hand dipping below his belt to rearrange himself in his jeans.

“Give me five minutes and I’ll meet you at the cabin.”

Elijah smiles wide. “You okay?” he questions before he walks away, double checking that I’m good.

I nod. “I’m more than good. I just need a minute.”

When he disappears out of sight, I walk around the place I spent most of my childhood. I sit down and run my hands over the spool table where I sat many hours making windchimes, all in hopes of hearing my grandfather.

And I breathe.

My heart is finally at peace.

It feels good to feel something other than pain. But I wouldn’t change any of it.

With pain comes strength.

I stand and walk over to the spot where Draven died.

The leaves rustle gently over my head as night settles around me. I run my boot over the ground. “Thank you for the pain,” I say quietly.

“I’m going to need it to protect my child from assholes like you and your father.”

I’ll kill any motherfucker who hurts my baby.

I tip my head back and forth as a thought enters my mind. “Maybe you were right, grandpa, I think I am a lot like my parents.”

A satisfied smile flits over my face.

I pretend my grandpa is by my side. “We’ve slayed the dragon, my lord. What shall we do now?” I ask, straightening my imaginary MC princess crown and spitting on the ground for good measure.

The wind blows hard, the skeleton key chime whispering to me all the way from my cabin across the lake.

“You’re right. It’s time to return to the castle. The prince awaits.”

I laugh to myself at my silliness, wiping at my eyes.

My gaze flits over the area, happy for the memories I made here. Excited for the promise of new ones.

Before I turn and walk away, I curtsey, whispering, “Goodbye, Sir Bill, until we meet again.”

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