Page 43 of Jack's Devotion

"The company was always mine," I answer, leaning toward the microphone. "My father was only meant to run it until I was old enough. So yes, I will be assuming control."

"Are you and Jack really married?" someone else shouts.

"Yes, we're married."

"Likereallymarried? Asking for a friend," some guy asks, grinning.

A ripple of laughter goes through the crowd when Jack scowls daggers at him. "Do not make me come down there, Alex."

The guy throws his head back, laughing.

"Yes, we're really married."

"Where have you been for the last seven years?"

"I…" I freeze on that question. The answer is so simple, yet it's not. I've been surviving. I've been in hell. I've been growing stronger and braver. And I've been learning how to face my demons.Los Angelesdoesn't really cover all of that, now does it?

"She kept herself safe in Los Angeles," Jack answers for me, squeezing my fingers. "And that's all the questions we'll be answering. Keep your nosy asses out of our business and let us live our lives. Bug Dillon. I heard he has plenty of time."

Dillon shoots him a dirty glare, but Jack just grins.

"Oh, yeah," he says. "One more thing. The part in our cover story about Drake and Madeline expecting a baby is actually true. Give them privacy too, etc., etc. Peace out." He practically drags me away from the crowd, laughter trailing in our wake, leaving Dillon to fend for himself as everyone starts shouting questions.

"You're a wild man, you know that?" I ask him when he pulls me into the nearest office and slams the door shut.

"Yeah, but you love me anyway." He smirks, pushing me up against the door.

"I do," I whisper, sinking my hands into his hair. "I really, really do, Jack."

"Good because you're stuck with me now," he grunts, claiming my lips in a fierce kiss that leaves me breathless and dizzy.

"How are you feeling?" he asks, running his fingers through my hair as we snuggle in bed later that night. "You okay?"

"Yeah." I stretch against him, yawning. "I'm good. I'm…at peace, I think?"

"Yeah?" He smiles at me, his expression soft. "You look like you're at peace right now."

That's probably because he's been all over me since we got home. I don't think his hands have left my body once for the last several hours. Definitely not complaining. My favorite placein this world is him on top of me, making me come in delicious, delightful ways.

"You were right."

"I usually am."

I poke him in the ribcage, which just makes him laugh. I swear, there is no getting him down from whatever cloud he's on. He's just…really fucking happy. All the time. Did I do that? God, I hope so.

"You are not usually right," I mutter. "You're probably wrong like ninety-eight percent of the time. But you were right about my father. He isn't a monster. He's just a man. Just a selfish, sad man."

"I'm right ninety-eight percent of the time, and yeah, he is. He's also a heartless fucking prick who deserves to die alone in prison," he growls, tugging me closer to him. "You may have forgiven him, but I won't."

"Anger turns ugly, Jack. It gets dark."

"Fine with me." He brushes his lips across my forehead. "I've got your light to help balance the scales. You keep pouring it over me, and I'll keep being pissed at Gerald. It'll wash in the end."

I stare at him for a long moment. "Just promise me something."

"Anything," he says immediately.

"Promise you won't let it rule you. I did that. When I came back here…" I swallow. "Well, all I thought about for a long time was how much I wanted him to pay. It's like every step I took was to prepare me to face him again, to get revenge. Don't let that happen to you."

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