Page 72 of Revive

22

Hendrix

“I’m ready, Drix.”

The hushed words dance around my ears, and tickle my mouth. “You can’t say that now. It’s not fair.”

“It’s true.” Her knuckles caress the side of my face. “When all the dust settles, and the stars align. I. Am. Ready.”

Her lips skate across mine, and I wait for the usual rush of greed, desperation and hunger to follow.

It doesn’t come.

Where’s Taylah.

23

Taylah

Iwatch him step away from her, but her lips on his, for even a split second still hurts. They’re mine.

They both look at each other shocked. I expect it to change to guilt the minute they see me in the room but whatever was exchanged has shaken them enough not to notice me.

“Drix.” My shaky voice catches both of their attention, but I don’t give anyone but Drix mine. He turns my way, the light from his eyes missing, his brows furrowed in confusion.

His breath becomes louder, more laboured. The rise and fall of his chest, has me confused to whether he’s angry or anxious. Dashing over to him, I walk him back to the bed. He sits, and I kneel down in front of him. “Drix, baby. Just breathe. In. Out.”

He follows my lead enough that his breathing evens, his eyes become a bit more focused, and he notices me.

“Crazy, I’m so fucking sorry.”

My chin trembles at the sound of his broken voice. “I know.” With so many things unknown, he could be apologising for anything, so I take it. I hold it in my heart, and hope this is just goodbye for now. “But we don’t have to do this now, okay?”

“I just—” Too exhausted to talk, he rises. Our eyes lock, seeing only one another. “I’m sorry I just need some fucking air, okay? Just a minute to think.”

Nodding in understanding I step away from him and watch him walk away from the both of us.

Turning to Sasha, I expect to see victory, but all I see is contempt and anger. On a mission, I stand in front of her. Toe to toe. Thinking about the man she supposedly loves, the man who is literally crippled by the pain she causes.

Uncomfortable I’m in her space, she steps back, making sure there’s distance between us. I push my own hurt from earlier aside, and with the thought of her having power to ruin my happiness, I let the venom spew.

“You know, I want to tell you how fucking selfish you are.” She jerks her head back at my tone, but I just keep at it. “How your schemes are like poison, picking the perfect time to ruineverything.”

“That man,” I point to the direction Drix left in. “That remarkable, selfless, magnificent fucking man has been at your mercy for too long. He is the perfect friend, the perfect uncle, and the perfect brother, and you insist on reducing him to nothing.”

The adrenaline pumping in my veins fuels my loose lips. “I will never know how he loved someone so fucking manipulative for so long.”

I have to give it to her, she doesn’t shrivel under my heated stare, or any accusation, she just takes it, probably knowing it’s the truth.

“If you love him choose him, Sasha. Don’t throw chaos at him just because you can’t stand the thought of anybody else having him. Be fucking sure because he is pure gold, and you treat him like nothing but trash.”

“That—” she interrupts and I shake my head and hand.

“Just set him free. Let the world experience the full potential of this beautiful man, when he isn’t chained to you and your indecisiveness.”

She cocks her hip, and crosses her hands over her chest. “You mean send him running into your arms.”

“Any woman would be lucky to have him. I noticed that,” I say pointing to my chest. “You didn’t.”

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