Page 120 of In the Light of Sin

“I am begging,” My eyes widened at his honesty. “You have to fucking love me. I can’t live without it.”

“I love you, Darin.” My forehead pressed against his, our noses brushing together as I breathed in his woodland scent. “I don’t know who I am without you.”

“Never gonna find out,” His lips brushed over mine. “You lit up my fuckin’ world, Sunshine.”

He was a man living in his own darkness. I was a woman trying my best to light everyone else’s world up, while still living in my hidden darkness. Sarge was the only one who knew the truth, his darkness clashing with mine until there was nothing but light left.

“Your darkness eclipsed me,” I brushed my lips against his. “The world doesn’t always need sunshine.”

He shook his head, nose brushing against mine. “No, but I’ll always need you.”

“You’ll never be without me,” I sealed our lips together. The feeling of his lips moving against mine spreading warmth along my skin like the sun on a summers day. He pulled back, our panting breaths mixing before I whispered. “Our broken pieces made a masterpiece.”

Epilogue: Sarge

“Joslyn Grace Monroe.”

I watched my girl, blonde hair down to the middle of her back with an infectious smile you could feel from the other side of the gymnasium, walk on stage and grab her GED from the announcer. Seeing her in her black cap and gown, my favorite color on her, made my heart swell with pride.

Getting your GED didn’t come with ceremonies. But Joslyn told me that her dream was walking across a stage, hearing her name called with her loved ones cheering in the crowd. So, with a few calls and threats, I got this community center booked and caps and gowns ordered for her and the other nine people getting their certificates with her. She’d throw a fit if I didn’t include everybody.

She had many wishes that I turned into my own personal bucket list. Most of the club was here–sans Husk, Hex, V, and Prez.

She’s lucky I love her. The noise was getting too fucking loud. Especially the group that came with us to the ceremony to celebrate my girl.

“Go, Joslyn!” Knight yelled right next to my ear, hands cupped over his mouth to make his shout louder. The itch to push him down these uncomfortable bleachers grew when his thumb and pointer finger went in his mouth to let out a big whistle.

The man to my left was no better. “That’s our girl!”Oh, hell no.My lips pulled back, barring my teeth, as I grabbed Tyrant by the back of his cut. I yanked down, a smalloofflying out of his mouth when his ass hit the spot next to me hard.

He looked sheepish as I roared at him, “She’s. My. Girl. Only.”

“Okay, okay.” He crossed his arms in a sour mood. Nyla and Victoria snickered behind us, clapping for their friend. “Sheesh. I liked you better when you didn’t fuckin’ talk.”

I ignored him, looking among the rows of chairs for Joslyn. She was staring back at her cheering section, a smile in her emerald eyes. Her fingers were on her lips, shaking her head at the club’s antics. I couldn’t wait to get the fuck out of here and show her how proud of her I was–and I wanted to get away from all these fucking people.

Wouldn’t change a goddamn thing about my girl except one thing. Her last name. Joslyn Grace Huxley sounded better. But we weren’t even close to making that commitment to each other even if there was no one else for me, and I’d be fucking damned if I let someone else take her from me.

The rest of the ceremony dragged on. Names I didn’t care about being called on stage and stupid cheesy speeches. It was finally over when they all threw their caps in the air. My foot was tapping at the need to have her in my arms. Ever since the fire, if I went thirty minutes without her touching me, I got anxious. I saw she was alive, but I wouldn’t believe it until I felt her heart beating under my palm.

Finally, after what felt like hours, it was probably only sixty minutes, but anything with Tyrant and Knight being jackasses made everything feel longer, Joslyn was allowed to leave. Her smile was huge as she started running towards me, her arms open. I mimicked her, catching her in my arms when she jumped. My scorched flower reverted to her original floral scent, making me feel like I was home every time I inhaled her scent. “So fuckin’ proud of you, baby.”

She stood on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around my neck and making me place my hands on her hips to stabilize her. “It’s just a GED, Sarge.”

“It’s somethin’ you worked hard for, Sunshine.” I lowered my head, resting my forehead against hers. I still had my hood up and still refused to take it down in crowded places, but I wasn’t as shy about keeping my face away from hers ever since I showed her what was beneath the veil of my hood. “Nothin’ just about it.”

“I should be thanking you.” I looked away from her knowing smile. “Anonymous donor ring a bell?”

I shrugged. There was no point in denying that I funded this whole thing for her. “Just wanted you to have the graduation you deserved.”

“Don’t hog her!” Victoria whined, but I refused to let go of Joslyn. She could hug people later, I wasn’t fucking done with her yet. Victoria rolled her eyes, knowing I wasn’t letting go of my girl. I growled when Victoria put a comforting hand on her back. She shot me a pointed look before turning her attention to Joslyn. “Proud of you, honey. We got a good party waitin’ at the clubhouse for you.” Victoria grinned. She’s been decorating and making food for the past few days to celebrate my girl. “Let’s ditch this place.”

“We’ll meet you there, Jos,” Nyla said, Grim next to her with his arm around her slender shoulder. “Oakley already left to finish baking.”

She nodded with that smile of hers. “We’ll meet you there.”

The three of them walked away from us. I thought we were going to leave when her arms wrapped around me. I wasn’t as reserved about her touch, even though I still struggled to accept whatever affection she loved to give me in front of others. But when we were alone? Touching her was my favorite pastime, especially if it came with her crying out my name. “You remembered my dream.”

“I’ll make every single one come true.”

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