Page 87 of Diamonds & Deception

“No. Of course not.”

“Do you blame Owen for her death?”

“He loved her. I’m sure of it.”

“Yet if she wasn’t dating him, she’d be alive today. But we both know her murder is not his fault. It’s Eddie’s. Your sister and Owen did nothing wrong. You and I did nothing wrong. We can’t go back and change the past.”

“I miss them both so much.” She turns and cries into my shoulder.

I hold her and don’t let go until I feel her body relax. I push her hair aside and see she’s fallen asleep. As gently as I can, I lay her down on the couch and cover her with a blanket.

“Come on, girl,” I whisper to Daisy. “Let’s give mama some space.”

I write her a note, adding some humor to bring her a smile, and leave it on her phone just in case she wakes up before we get back. In only a few short weeks, Nora has become my everything.

I’ll stop heaven and earth to make her happy.

***

IWAKE FROM MY NAPand find I’m alone. Daisy’s not lying with me on the couch or on the floor next to me. She never strays far. I reach out for my phone and find a note stuck to it.

Even despite the crying I’ve done all morning, Drake manages to bring a smile to my face.

Brought Daisy for a walk. Be back soon.

Full disclosure. You’re an incredibly strong, beautiful, intelligent, amazing woman. And I’m honored to be the one to give you so many orgasms last night.

And this morning.

More to “come”

D-

I stretch as I stand and go into the kitchen to make breakfast. It’s already ten, so he may have eaten, but I chance it anyway and start making a batch of pancakes. I have most of them made by the time he comes in with Daisy.

“Hey, girl. Did you have a nice walk?” I kiss her snout and she gives me a wet lick. I laugh and stand to kiss Drake.

“I get the sloppy seconds after the night I gave you?”

“I do enjoy the tricks you do with your tongue more than Daisy’s. Don’t tell her though. I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”

“It can be our little secret.” Drake pulls me into him so our chests bump and kisses me thoroughly. When he pulls back, there’s tenderness in his eyes. “What can I do for you?”

“You’re doing it.” I rest my head on his chest and breathe in his comforting scent. “Oh. Shit. Pancakes.”

I push off him and flip the last three pancakes. He sets out plates, syrup, and butter, and pours us more coffee. We sit at the counter and eat like a regular couple.

“Not to break the mood, but I did have one other thing I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Lenora?”

“Indirectly.” He pushes his plate aside and takes my hands in his. “Eddie Donahue overdosed last night. He was dead before the paramedics arrived. Narcan worked on his friends, but one is still in ICU.”

I’m stunned. Shocked. Hopeful. “Does that mean...”

“He’s no longer a threat to us.” Drake rubs his thumb over the back of my hand.

“I can take Daisy for walks and not look over my shoulder every other minute?”

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