Page 169 of Vicious Addictions

“No.” He pouts. “It’s just a bunch of old scribbled notebooks. What kind of sicko leaves old books in people’s planes?”

“As opposed to a well-adjusted individual that prefers to leave bombs?” I arch a teasing brow.

“Who gives a shit who put them here? Either leave the stupid boxes where they are or kick them off onto the tarmac. We’re losing precious daylight, people.” Remus claps before plopping into his seat, eager to get home.

“Remus, please help Rolo load the boxes in the back. I refuse to add littering to what is already a long list of crimes we’ve committed on American soil.”

I settle into my front seat by the window as Remus sighs and slides out of his to help his brother.

Just as I finish sending my father a quick message, telling him we’ll be home in ten hours or so—eight on the flight and another two to drive from Heathrow to Kent, depending on traffic—I hear Remus call out my name.

“Mina, I think you’ll want to see this.”

“Please don’t tell me that you two found an actual bomb in those boxes?” I giggle, getting up from my seat to walk over to them.

But when neither of them laugh, my hackles rise.

“Bugger. I was joking. There’s no bomb, is there?”

“Not the kind you expect.” Rolo frowns.

“Here,” Remus adds, handing me an envelope. “This is for you.”

My brow furrows as I take the envelope from his hands, pulling out a white card adorned with the Romano family crest. Beneath it, a carefully penned message awaits, one that I would never expect to ever receive.

Mina,

I know that nothing I say will ever make you forgive me.

Nor am I delusional enough to believe that if I somehow managed to say all the right things, you’d even want to give me a second chance.

But in the woods, you accused me of never saying that I loved you.

I didn’t want that lie to be the last thing you remembered me for.

We’ve had enough lies between us as it is, and I refuse to let that one linger.

I’ve been told recently that actions speak louder than words.

But sometimes, I don’t believe that is always the case.

Words also have worth.

As long as they speak one’s truth.

For longer than I care to admit, I forced myself to hide that part of me.

The part that loved you unconditionally.

I will never hide again.

And though you are going to be another man’s wife soon, just know that you will always be the queen of my heart.

As a belated engagement gift, I offer you my words.

My truth.

All the words I’ve said and all the ones I wish I could have.

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