Page 85 of Charmed By Destiny

“I love my work.”

“Especially since you can moon over the sexy inspirit that you dirtied your knees for.”

“That definitely doesn’t hurt.”

“I bet your knees did though,” Maribeth said with a grin.

“Burned like a bitch. So, you’ve looked into other job avenues?”

“Not as much as I should have because I had this crazy idea that I should separate myself from Marwood completely.”

“You didn’t tell me that!” Richard exclaimed.

“Because Clark told me it wasn’t an option. I thought I could convince him, given enough time. You weren’t supposed to know because you would’ve taken my side. The last thing I wanted was for you to fight with your parents about it.”

“Why would I take your side? It’s not safe, Mari.”

Maribeth’s mouth dropped open. “You’ve always taken my side.”

“Because you usually make practical, intelligent decisions. But what you’re suggesting is none of those things. You’re a necromancer. How can you work for humans? Who is going to transfer you the minute someone notices you don’t age? How will you explain your birthdate as you get older but you lack a single wrinkle? Dad takes care of that shit for us.”

“I eventually figured that out, but I was already here. Plus, Clark didn’t budge. Not one fucking inch. Threatened to cut off my money if I tried to live somewhere besides a Marwood property. My father didn’t leave a will. Except for that awful house in California where my father brought Eric, all his assets were held jointly between him and Clark. Your father inherited everything. I couldn’t even get mad at him because I understood he was doing it because he loves me. Because I was scaring the shit out of him. When that hit me, I realized what an ass I was being and stopped. Damage done, Richard.”

“Dad was totally lying. There is no way he’d ever cut you off.”

Maribeth threw her arms up. “I know that, Richard, but I’d pushed him to his limit, and he was doing whatever he could to stop me from making a mistake that could hurt me.”

“Stop giving yourself reasons to be furious with your own damn self.”

“All I have time to do is think.”

“Give Maribeth some advice to help her out of her predicament!” Richard yelled, hoping he could stop Maribeth from spiraling into another round of heaping abuse on her already beleaguered spirit.

Maribeth lifted her chin and cast her wet gaze to the ceiling. “Maribeth Marwood should’ve stayed at her beautiful home in Nevada to allow her family to aid her as she dealt with the trauma of her father nearly killing her cousin, then shooting himself in the fucking head.”

“Don’t forget that she took a damn bullet herself and has to heal emotionally from that too.”

“I know,” she whispered, grabbing her shoulder where she carried the outward scar of that day. “I know it, Richard.”

Standing and hauling her close, Richard petted the beautiful glossy hair she’d inherited from her mother. “We’re packing your shit, and you’re coming home with me on Thursday.”

“Thanks for coming to get me.”

“I would’ve been here sooner, but you refused to let me. But I’m here now, and we’re going to spend a few days catching up. We’ll eat ice cream, get drunk, and tell old stories. Have some good old-fashioned Richard-and-Mari time. On Thursday we’ll go home, and you can make my Lucas one of your very best friends.”

“I don’t care what anyone says, you’re the fucking best, Richard.”

“Excuse me, did someone say I wasn’t?”

Maribeth laughed and rubbed his back. “Not anyone I like or trust.”

Chapter 29

The days had dragged without Richard, and Luke was ecstatic that his soulmate was home. Throughout dinner, the Marwoods celebrated Maribeth’s announcement that she was returning to the mansion permanently. There were tears, laughter, and excellent food. Luke had enjoyed every moment.

But he was also relieved to be following Richard up the stairs. Since his arrival at the mansion, they’d shared a quick hug, the quickest of mouth on mouth, then sat to eat dinner. He’d missed Richard and wanted to be alone with him.

They shut themselves into the dark romantic suite Richard had decorated, and the necromancer practically threw himself into Luke’s arms.

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