Page 72 of Bound by Vengeance
She nods, not asking any questions. Another reason we fit so damn well together. She understands that there are some things I can’t talk to her about.
Damn, I love this woman.
“Okay.” She pauses, and I feel it coming. “What about that part in the movie when you tensed up?”
Letting out a deep breath, I tell her, “It was the part where the pirate, teal-haired chick talked about the lost boys and girls.
That’s what I was called once they kicked me out. A lost boy. Dealing with all this is just dredging up all sorts of shit that was locked down.”
“Why did they call you that?”
I tightly squeeze her as I answer, “Because that’s what we are. We’re lost to them. Don’t exist.”
“You said boys and girls?”
“Nah, the girls were just in that movie. It’s only the boys who get kicked out. My cousin Carley, she chose to leave, and that’s really the only way she could’ve gotten out. They won’t risk losing the girls.”
Her eyes shine with sadness. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. My life had to happen the way it did to end up in this spot, right here with you. No way would I do anything to fuck that up.” Leaning down, I take her mouth. “Let’s go up.” I hold her hand the entire way up.
As soon as we hit the top, Rhys bursts out laughing. “Fuckin’ suckers!”
“It wasn’t bad,” Austyn says, not letting go of my hand.
Rhys only laughs harder, this time with his head thrown back. “Love my baby girl, but fuck me. If I have to see those pirates dancin’ around one more time, I’m burnin’ that DVD.”
“You can’t burn it, Dad. It’s on Prime,” Mazie says, approaching her dad.
Rhys pulls his daughter onto his lap. “Then I’ll bust all the tablets.”
Mazie’s eyes grow round. “What? Daddy, no!”
The smile never leaves his face. That man loves his girls with everything he has. He has another one, Rylynn. I’m not sure where she is.
Austyn curls into me, her head tilted up to me, eyes gleaming with humor and lust. It’s a beautiful look on her. Not thinking twice, I lean down and take her lips roughly. She gives in, fully pressing her body against mine like glue.
When hoots and hollers come from the peanut gallery, we break apart, but all I notice is the smile on Austyn’s face.
“I’ve thought of this exact thing.” Her voice is soft.
“What, me kissin’ you? ’Cause, baby, that’s gonna happen a lot.”
She slaps her hand over my chest playfully. “No. My parents. My father doesn’t hold back when he kisses my mother. He doesn’t care who’s around or what they think. He does what he wants.”
“Beautiful, I’m not sure where you’re going with this, but talkin’ about your parents while my dick is hard as a rock isn’t top on my list.”
“Oh, zip it and listen.”
I close my mouth with a grin.
“I always told myself that I would be with a guy like that. One who didn’t care who was around. One who loved me enough to show the world that I was his and he was mine. A man who took as much as he gave. A man who treated me the same way I’ve seen my dad treat my mom over the years.” Her eyes beam. “And you’ve given me that. Thank you.”
Fuck. My chest tightens to the point of pain, but it’s a gorgeous pain, one I never want to stop. It’s like an unbreakable bond is connecting right before my eyes. One that won’t waver and won’t be broken. I hope to Christ she feels the same way.
“Beautiful, I’ll give you anything and everything I got.”
“Alright. As happy as I am for you two,” Cruz says, slapping me on the shoulder, “you even attempt to take this further in my presence, I’ll beat the fuck out of you.”
