Page 50 of My Shining Stepbrother

“There is a very high possibility of that.” I start laughing, hurting myself again, but I don't care. I need this with him right now.

There is a light knock on the door before Rachel slowly walks in. Reese takes a step back, allowing her to stand or sit next to me. We both start crying at the sight of each other.

“I was so scared, Rose. Thank you for saving me.” She says as she cries harder.

I wipe away her tears as I calm my own. “You never have to thank me, punk. I’ll always be here for you.”

She leans forward, giving me a soft hug as she tells me she loves me. Her body pressed on my wound hurt, but I now embrace the pain. For her, I will endure anything.

Chapter 25

- Rose -

I have been stuck inside this damn hospital for three days. Three very long and tedious days. Reese hasn't left my side since the night I got shot. He has been my light in this dark part of my life, but I hope he remains that light when he learns the rest of my history with Ronnie.

My wound has been healing great, and the doctor said I will be released today as long as I promise to take it easy. I agreed, but Reese ensured he knew all of the instructions for me.

He packed away all the clothes his dad had brought for us and stood beside the bed with a wheelchair in front of him.

“Are you ready to go, baby?” he asks me as he pats the chair.

“Absolutely.” I say it with a big smile. All I have wanted to do the last few days is go home and be wrapped up in my man's arms.

“You are such a beautiful goddess. Do you know that?” He helps me into the chair as he asks me.

“If I were a Goddess, who do you think I would be?” I try to think about it myself, but no Goddess comes to mind.

“Persephone, without a doubt.” He says it without skipping a beat or having to think about it.

“Why is that?” I only ask because I don't see myself as Persephone. She was a beautiful woman who was more substantial than most men.

“She is beautiful, kind, caring, and loves with every fiber of her being. The moment you mess with those she loves, she will destroy anything in her way. She will save her loved ones and kill herself if she has to. You are just like her, Rose. You may be her.” It is almost like he is speaking about me instead of her. Could I be like her?

“I never thought of it that way.” I look down at my hands, feeling smaller somehow.

“Who am I?” He asks as he walks in front of me and squats down to get eye level with me.

“You’re Reese.” I cock my head to the side and say it with a teasing voice.

“No, smartass” He starts laughing as he looks down. “If I was a God, who would I be?” He looks back into my eyes, locking into them.

“Hades.” I say it without hesitation, just as he did.

“I don’t know if I should be offended or proud.” He leans forward, pursing his lips and draping his arms over my legs.

“Proud, very proud. When they took Persephone from him, he threatened to destroy the world until she was returned to him. He moved mountains to find her and keep her. She was his true love and made the darkness fade. He saw the light within her. She was his light to his darkness.” I place my hands on his face pulling him closer to me.

“I can see that. Maybe there is a reason these tattoos match so well. You created us twice, maybe this was us in a past life, and we found each other again.” I nod my head in agreement. He is right. We have always been destined for one another.

“I love you, Reese. With everything inside of me, I love you.” a tear full of happiness slides down my cheek.

“Baby, it hurts with how much I love you. I will never stop loving you, either.” He leans closer to me whispering his words against my lips.

He engulfs my lips with his, devouring them entirely. He is pouring his love into my soul, and it is feeding on every bit of it. My life belongs to this man.

We pull apart from one another as a nurse walks in, giving me the discharge papers. I stare at them for a moment taking in the words in front of me. I finally get to leave this place and start my life—the life I want to live with him.

He grabs the handles of the chair and pushes me out of the room and down to the waiting car. He helps me inside before taking his seat. He turns his face to look at me with a big smile. “Where too, my Goddess?”

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