Page 68 of The Broken Queen
Gio had come to my bed at some point in the night, but he hadn’t pulled me into his chest or put his arm around me. Which worked for me as I didn’t want to wake anyone up. My conversation with Kingston had kept me awake all night, making me toss and turn and mull over what we’d said.
It was the first conversation that we’d had that didn’t end in angry rhetoric or angry sex.
Which felt like progress. Yet, I pulled on my running shoes, threw my hair up, and quietly exited the house so that I could go for a run because I still felt too much pain in my chest. I started for the woods that I used to run as a kid.
Early morning fog clung to the branches, and moss covered most of the fallen logs. It felt good to run again, and while I wasn’t wearing my weighted vest, the cold air on my lungs gave me a rush of adrenaline. I thought over all I had learned yesterday about Scotty and his possible connection to Markos.
I played the night I met Markos in my mind, all the words andthe way he said them. I played the two months of fear we lived in after that night and all the tiny things Adrian had said, or didn’t. I hated that Markos had killed him, for many reasons, but the lack of information was one of the biggest reasons.
Why bring Scotty into it? Why had Scotty agreed to any of it?
We’d been in hiding; we were safe. Why make up this imaginary idea that we could find an ally with the Adessos?
I thought back to how Adrian said he’d first saw me at that ball on my sixteenth birthday. I realized with a start that Scotty had been the one to suggest we attend under fake names and flutter around our enemies like butterflies just to see if anyone knew any differently.
How long had he been playing us?
My breathing was labored as I pinned my hands to my hips and began walking back to the farmhouse. It was still early, but an hour had passed or so, and the highland cows were out in the pasture, eating squares of hay. One of them lifted its heavy head to watch me approach, its golden-brown hair covered its eyes, but its wide mouth moved to the side as it chewed.
Glancing around, and not seeing either twin, I decided to climb the fence and go visit the burly creatures. An infectious smile worked its way up my face as I began running my hands through the smallest one’s fur, brushing back its cute mane from its eyes. Then I fed it some more hay while the other two made their way over.
“You’re awfully handsome,” I said, giggling as the white one with spots began to nuzzle me. There was one more golden than brown that I began petting next. “You remind me of Gio. You’re all sunshine and joy.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell him you like his gift.” Kingston suddenly appeared behind me, carrying a two-by-four over his shoulder.
Spinning around, I watched as he smirked but kept walking toward the area where the earth was still blackened from theburning body. I wasn’t ready to see that space, or the grave that had been dug, so I headed back for the house, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach. Glancing one time over my shoulder, I saw Kingston watching me before his gaze snapped back to the pieces of wood on the ground.
I smiled while I walked inside.
After my shower,I made my way downstairs. The delicious smell of bacon and toast fluttered in the air, making my stomach growl. I found Gio at the stove, making scrambled eggs while he sang along to a song playing from the speaker in the corner. He only had on a pair of boxers, and for some reason, I loved that fact. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and it made that fluttery feeling return to my chest.
“Morning.”
I smiled in return while sliding in next to him, where the coffee pot was. “Morning.”
He was back at the stove when he happily said, “I made you eggs, toast, and bacon.”
“Thank you.” My smile hadn’t waned as I watched him cook. Sipping my coffee, I looked over the mug and said, “I met the cows today.”
Gio shifted toward me with a brazen smile that lit up his handsome face. “You like the spotted one best, don’t you?”
It felt good to release a genuine smile again as I laughed. “Actually, I like the golden one; he reminds me of you.”
Gio set the skillet to the side and began laughing. “How, there’s nothing golden about me.”
“Yeah, there is, Gio. Your soul is pure sunshine.”
His face fell as he turned away from me and began to get my toast prepared. His voice was somber as he replied, “I didn’t mean to overwhelm you by getting them. King said I pushed it too fast.”
I moved until I was behind him, wrapping my arms around his chest and placing my face against his back. “Gio, you’ve always been my sky. My constant.” I pressed a kiss to his skin and then whispered, “Don’t give up on me.”
He spun around and gathered me into his arms and gently held my face. “Never.”
His lips gently landed against mine, light as a feather, then my arms were up around his neck as I added, “And don’t give up onyoueither. I love you, Gio. I might be mad as hell still and hurt, but make no mistake...” I kissed him again. “I still want you.”
I was lifted to the counter as he moved between my legs, and our kiss continued and became heavier, more intense. His fingers traced up my back, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind. My lashes fluttered shut as I allowed the sensation of his touch to linger, and for once, I allowed myself to enjoy it. This was different than the times before when I’d push for his touch merely to shut out something I didn’t want to feel. Now, I wanted his touch so that he was all I’d feel.
His mouth moved over mine in a searing kiss, his tongue pushed into my mouth in deep strokes, and because I didn’t want this to be like all the other times, I gently pulled away. I pressed my forehead to his chin while our breathing regulated, and then I lifted my eyes and asked, “Will you come with me to name them?”
