Page 38 of Savage Queen (Blood Empire 3)

“I fell hard for you the moment I saw you walk into the club parking lot after Harlow saved you. It just took me this long to understand. I was filled with so much pain, but you helped me get over it, to see past it. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I would have gotten my head out of my ass when it came to Harlow. But in the process of all that, you made me fall for you, Sam. And I never want you to feel bad about that.”

“But what if she won’t let you. Be with me, I mean. I can’t lose her, the thought of her hating me hurts worse than anything I’ve ever felt before.”

“Then I’ll step back. I just want you to be happy, Sam. And I know she does too. I’m just sorry.”

“For what?” he asks, brows furrowed in confusion. “You have nothing to feel sorry about.”

“Yes, I do. I knew you didn’t want to be around gay men and straight woman because of everything that happened to you. I knew I was attracted to men, but I still allowed myself to get close to you. I let you think I was only into women. I lied to you. And for that, I’m sorry.” I feel like a part of me betrayed him by lying to him about that side of me while giving him a false sense of security.

“Oh,” he breathes, staring at me with such intensity my heart starts racing. It’s never raced like this with anyone but Harlow. He shakes his head. “No, I know you would never hurt me. Don’t ask me how I know, I just do. Just like I know Harlow would kill for me, like she would for all of you. For so long, I felt as if I was worth nothing more than a body to be used as others pleased. But the moment I met Harlow, the moment I got to really know you, I knew that it wasn’t true. You saw me as a human, as someone worth a voice and a choice. I don’t want you to feel bad for growing feelings for me. Because I did the same thing.”

“As for Harlow?” I ask, not missing the fact that my belly did a little flip at his words.Who the fuck am I?He doesn’t answer, just bites his lip and looks away.

“I gotta go,” I tell him. “But Sam, please try not to worry.”

He huffs out a laugh. “You ask that as if it's so easy.”

I lean forward, waiting to see if he will move away, but he doesn’t. So, I lean in more until my lips brush against his cheek. I give him the softest kiss, his skin hot against my lips, making him suck in a gasp. “Everything will be okay.”

Fuck, I really hope I’m right.

THE CLUB IS BEYONDpacked. The line to get in goes all the way down the street, but I’m sure at this point they probably aren't accepting anyone else.

“Move it,” Neo barks, as he makes his way through the crowd towards the front of the stage. “Don’t make me stab a bitch!” Everyone looks back to see who's speaking, and when they see it’s Neo, they part like the Red Sea.

Grinning at my crazy cousin, I shake my head and make my way over to the bar with Dean, as Cass follows after Neo.

It’s weird, smiling. I’ve been so stupid the past year, making myself miserable while pushing everyone I love away. I never had the best relationship with my brother, not since Harlow came into our lives, but that was my own doing.

But Dean, he’s always been my best friend and family. It’s only because of how I treated the girl we all love that he distanced himself from me. And rightfully so. I just hope now we can get back to the way we were before all of that.

“Two scotch on the rocks, please.” Dean asks Roxy.

“It’s crazy, isn’t it?” I ask him, raising my voice to be heard over the crowd.

“What is?” he asks, looking over to me.

“That we're here, watching the girl we’ve been in love with for most of our lives dance.”

His lips twitch. “We’ve been here tons of times to see her dance.”

“Yes, but not since she’s become our girlfriend.” I smirk back.

“Well, that’s because you had your head stuck up your ass, my friend.” He chuckles, throwing his arm over my shoulder, turning to the stage as one of the girls comes out. “It’s about damn time you pulled it out.”

“Yeah,” I agree, as the girl announces the show is about to begin. “Sorry it took so long.”

“Here are your drinks, boys,” Roxy says, and Dean moves his arm to grab both glasses, holding one out to me.

“You’re here now, that's all that matters. Cheers.” I take the glass and clink it to his before taking a mouthful. “Now, let's go sit next to our batshit crazy cousin and watch our girl rock that stage like she owns it.”

“Because she does.” I laugh and he chuckles. We join the others, taking a seat in the front row.

“About time. Do you know how many people I had to threaten to kill if they sat here?” Neo asks, like it's an inconvenience when we both know he loves to strike fear into people, then looks down at my drink. “Hey, where's mine?”

I look at him with a cocked brow. “Get your own.”

“And miss the show? Fuck that,” he says, turning back to the stage.

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