Page 111 of Severed Rivalry
“She was out of surgery and stable last night, but we haven’t heard yet this morning when she gets to go home,” I offer.
“And to answer your other question,” Sariah starts. “We don’t know. And I hate not knowing.”
“I want to go see her.”
“I do too. We’re trying to find out if it’s safe.”
“She’s by herself?”
“We don’t know,” Sariah says softly.
“Will it always be like this?” The soft whisper that leaves the normally bold teen damn near shreds me. “Hiding and scared? Or will I ever get to be normal?”
My answer is firm. “I’ll find a way for you to be safe. And for your mom to be safe. I want you to be free to make mistakes and not worry, but do them offline and off camera, okay? That shit lives forever.”
“Cian.” My name is a rebuke on Sariah’s tongue.
“What? It’s true. I want her to have a normal high school life. No running. No hiding. And then go to college. Be stupid”—I extend a hand, addressing Renée—“within reason, of course. But don’t do anything that prevents you from getting a job or that will haunt you, okay?”
“Seriously?” Her mother is ready to murder me.
“Seriously.” I reply to Sariah before focusing on her daughter. “I’ll make you a promise that you’ll be safe. You make me a promise that you won’t do shit you’ll regret long-term.”
Renée nods.
Sariah’s eyes narrow.
“I’m not overstepping.” I cut off her argument before it begins. “You and I are endgame. We’re together. That makes me a permanent fixture in Renée’s life. Her kids will be my grandkids. So I get a say.”
The two Ocotea beauties turn to face me, mouths agape, mirror images of each other, except for their coloring. But it’s Renée who smiles first and throws her fists in the air.
One down. One to go.
Sariah isn’t as easy.
“Is anything I said a lie?”
She sucks in a breath before releasing a sigh that carries theweight of the world. But she shakes her head and mutters to herself, “This is not how I expected anything in my life to go.”
“I’m in love with you, Angel. You know it. You know I won’t let you risk yourself or Renée. Let me get some answers from Liam. Do your search on Gauthier and let’s regroup.” I turn to Renée. “I’d like your blessing to love your mom and be in your life. You have all the time in the world you need to think on it.”
Her face turns serious as she nods. Then she rounds the island, gives me a high five, and heads back down the hallway.
And I’m left with the firecracker’s mother, who looks pissed right the hell off. She turns on her heel, without another word, and heads down the hall to my bedroom.
“Eleanor?” My dog comes running and sits on the tile at my feet. “I stepped in it and don’t know what to do. Are you good with more people to love you?” Her tail swishes.
How come everything can’t be as easy as she is?
The silent treatment only lasted as long as it took to get the call that Rosie was ready to be discharged. The question was where she would go.
Sariah and Renée’s home had its vulnerabilities, namely the fact the news media would want an interview with the wonder woman who took down a sex predator ring. Everyone in the neighborhood—hell, everyone in the metro area—who might be curious could drive by.
Liam’s security was incredible, but it wouldn’t repel gawkers or those who refuse to honor property lines.
My house just went from one plus the perfect dog, to three plus the perfect dog, including a teenager. Adding a third-generation Ocotea woman isn’t ideal, but I don’t know that we have another choice.
My life is changing faster than I can keep up. I have to say, though, morning sex makes it easier to deal with.
