Page 144 of Ink's Devil

“Cry, babe. Cry. That’s it, that’s good.”

The sobs keep coming as though they’ll never stop. Then I’m wailing, “Why did she choose, Connor? I need my mom.”

“She didn’t choose Connor because she wanted to, Beth. You’re strong, you’re in a good place. She respects you, respects the choices you make. Connor? Well he’s shown he needs a guiding hand.”

I hadn’t even understood how much I felt her leaving was desertion, but Ink’s more patient than I would have thought, and takes time to help me break things down and put them back together in a way that’s not so painful. Slowly his words change, and he’s painting a picture of a future we can build together. Letting me see that I can branch out on my own, and while I won’t be able to see or talk to her, my mom will always be there, out there, somewhere, supporting me.

I don’t know how long I cry, but slowly Ink’s supportive words get through. Eventually my tears dry, and I use several tissues to try to clear my blocked nose. When he sees I’ve calmed, he lifts me up and carries me to the bed. It’s then I notice the sky has darkened outside. I must have been weeping for hours.

I’m tired, exhausted, and thankful Ink had been so patient with me. I hadn’t known how much I need to face all the emotions locked inside head on. It wasn’t just only the loss of my mom, but everything that’s happened over the past couple of weeks. Something needed to break, that Ink had seen that was just another good reason to love him.

As I watch him make himself ready for bed, the sight causes a kernel of arousal to start growing inside as he reveals his muscular inkless body to me.

Seeing me watching, he smirks.

“That was extreme,” I tell him.

He doesn’t pretend not to know what I’m talking about. “Extreme times call for extreme measures, babe.” Naked, he perches on my side of the bed, his hand brushing back my hair from my face. “We’re going to be okay, Beth. You’re not alone. I’m going nowhere, okay? Any choice to be made, I’ll always choose you.”

“Are you coming to bed?”

He chuckles softly. “I am.”

That night, Ink takes his time. No ropes or cuffs, no more spanking, erotic or otherwise, he just does everything he can to show how much he feels for me.

With my mind now accepting how things have turned out, even though I regret it had to happen, I fall into a dreamless sleep. I could have sworn I’ve only been resting a few minutes, when I’m woken.

“Come off it.” I roll over in bed, squinting as he pulls up the blind and lets daylight flood into the room. “What’s the time?”

“Time you got out of fuckin’ bed.” He laughs down at me.

I am so not amused. “Thought you knew me by now. I need coffee to function, babe.”

He raises his eyebrow and points to the cup sitting steaming beside me. I throw out my hand but it’s too far away.

“You really aren’t a morning person, are you?” He chuckles again, comes over, sits and places an arm around me helping me to sit up. Then he lifts and hands my coffee to me.

“When I’m not planning on going for a run, I’m not,” I admit. “And why have you woken me so goddamn early on a Saturday?” When I’ve now got to face the reality that I no longer have my blood family around me, I frown slightly, wondering where Mom and Connor are, and what they are doing today. Is it exciting for them? Or scary. A bit of both I expect.

His finger comes under my chin. “Hey, doll. Why the frown?”

I shrug.

“Your mom and brother will be okay.”

But he can’t know that.

Or maybe he can, I realise, as he goes on to say, “When I was getting you that,” he points to my drink, “Demon came in. He’s heard from Lost, the San Diego prez, and apparently, they arrived okay. The feds have got them a house they can move into temporarily.”

“What? How the hell do you know…”

“We might have suggested to Connor that he ask to go to San Diego.”

“And Caruso went along with that?”

“Sure. It’s far enough away, and location didn’t matter to him. As we’ve got a chapter there, our brothers can watch out for them without them knowing…” he breaks off and winks. “May even be able to tell you if Connor finds a nice bronzed California girl, or Patsy her own surfer.”

“I’ll get updates? Why didn’t you tell me before?” I sit up, excited. “Can I visit?”

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