Page 90 of Hot Blooded
“Not my finest moment, though.”
“I will never judge you, Reign. I can’t. I love you too much. I will give my very life for your own.”
I can’t deny it. Hearing her words fills me with unbridled joy. “I love you too. Endlessly. So much, my sweet Tressa. But I’ll never let you do that.”
Her smile brightens. I fight the urge to close the distance between us and scoop her into my arms.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
“I brought her here, because you are an idiot. And you were both miserable,” Alastair answers for her.
“Poor Connor must be worried sick…” I look down at my watch. “Doesn’t he get home from work soon?” My words sound hollow to my own ears. I could give two fucks about Connor.
And I don’t know why I’m being snippy. I guess I just need to test her. Find out if this is real. If she’s finally willing to give up her silly idea of me changing her.
“I’ve broken up with him,” she says quietly. The words warm me. I don’t feel remotely bad for the fellow. I should, because I know what it’s like to lose Tressa, but I don’t. Instead, I revel in my own little victory. Childish, I know.
“And you are here because…” I offer.
“I want to be with you,” she sighs as she rubs her hands together, undoubtedly for comfort. I wish I was the one comforting her right now.
“As a human?” I check.
“Of course not,” she scoffs.
My fists clench at my side as Alastair grabs my forearm. “Steady, brother. We have a plan.”
My eyes snap to his in betrayal. I shake my head. “How could you?”
“Just listen. Stop being so dense. We agreed months ago. You don’t get to dictate this woman’s decisions. It’s un-feminist of you.”
“That’s a low blow,” I argue. “I respect Tressa… but you know why I can’t.”
“And so does she,” Alastair tells me.
I look to Tressa. I can see it in her eyes. My brother told her about the legal troubles I faced over Henrick. I should have just told her. “I’m sorry. Don’t think less of me.”
“I couldn’t, Reign. It was my fault anyway. You should have let me be a part of the trial. At least Alastair was able to help…”
“He what?” I scoff, looking back at my so-called brother who seems awfully comfortable keeping secrets from me.
“I paid off the judge. And the police. And Henrick. Pretty much everyone. But it worked. The case is closed,” he admits with a shrug.
I hang my head in defeat. And here I thought justice had been served. I guess not.
“How very expensive sounding. So how do you propose we get away with it again? Another payout?” I challenge their obviously poorly thought out idea.
“Of course not. The humans will only have so much tolerance for this happening in their town. Obviously, we move to Switzerland,” Alastair answers as if I’m the idiot in the room.
The fuck?
Switzerland?
But I think through what he’s saying. Maybe this isn’t a half-bad idea. Could I really do it again?
As if reading my mind, Alastair speaks up. “I have promised Tressa I will change her. That is, unless you decide to. So either way, brother, she will be changed. It is her choice and we have to respect that.”
“Tressa,” I plead as I can’t resist any longer. I cross the room to her and slide an arm around her body, pulling her warm body to mine.
