Page 53 of Absolution

She stuck her tongue out at me. “Aren’t you a funny guy.”

I tugged her against my side. “C’mon, let’s take a break.”

Once her gloves and protective head gear were off I led her over to the grappling mat. She grabbed a towel off the shelf when we passed it. I pulled her down to sit next to me as she wiped her perspiration away. Even red-faced and sweaty, Gina was beautiful. She chugged the bottle of water I’d handed her.

“How have you been feeling?”

Gina lowered the bottled and capped it. “Better. The urges have calmed, but they’re still lurking deep under the surface.”

“You’re the strongest person I know, and I’ve never been more proud of someone in my life.”

It wasn’t a lie. I knew how hard things were for her. She was combatting so much between staying clean again and fighting the PTSD symptoms that hovered over her while we waited for Gideon to make his move. It was time Gina realized that when she fell, I’d be there to catch her. Only I wasn’t some dark knight coming to save her. No, I was a king kneeling before his queen who was strong enough to save herself.

She ducked her head in embarrassment. “Thank you.”

Moving closer so her heat soaked through my thigh, I thumbed her chin and tilted her head up. I wanted to see her beautiful eyes.

“You never have to thank me. I’m humbled by your strength. I want you to know that I love you, Gina Castillo. I think I’ve always loved you, I just couldn’t see it.”

“For years, I’d blamed you for leaving. For everything. Which was unfair. I didn’t know it at the time, but the day you came back into my life was the best thing that could have ever happened. It made me face my fears, even when I stumbled. But knowing I’ve had your support and love has helped me conquer those fears, and know I’m not alone anymore. I love you Leo. More than I ever thought possible.”

I set my lips on hers. Gina melted into me with a soft sigh. Being this close to her was like coming home all over again. Her scent filled my nose. I wanted to continue kissing her for the rest of our lives.

“Well, isn’t this sweet?” The condescending question was booming loud in the quiet of the empty gym.

We both scrambled to our feet at the voice, and instinctively I pushed Gina behind me. Fuck. I knew better than to let my goddamn guard down. Standing only a few feet from us was a jeans and t-shirt clad man.

“Gideon.”

It didn’t matter that I hadn’t seem him since he was a sixteen-year-old kid, I recognized him instantly. He’d matured over the years, growing into his height. His dark hair was cut in prison style, and his arms were decorated with a menagerie of tattoos he’d no doubt gotten behind bars, judging by their design.

With his hand on his heart, he staggered backward in mock surprise. “I didn’t think you’d recognize me, brother.”

I sneered, hatred burning a hole through me. “You’re not my brother.”

His expression hardened. “That’s right, you were always too good for all us other poor parentless kids.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? I’ve never thought that.”

“Oh, really? Is that why you abandoned your sweet little Gina there? And she was sweet. Have you tasted her yet?”

Gideon kissed the tips of his fingers. “Delicious. Her cunt was like a juicy peach. And tight. God was it tight. I loved the way it squeezed my cock when I was fucking her. Especially that first time.”

“I’ll kill you for what you did to her,” I bit out.

He threw his head back in maniacal laughter. He wiped imaginary tears from his cheeks and his gaze landed on Gina. “Leo doesn’t seem surprised by that little revelation, which means you must have actually told him about us. I can’t believe it. I figured you’d be afraid he wouldn’t want my sloppy seconds.”

“There was no us, Gideon.”

I reached back to clasp her hand when I heard the tears in her voice. She was trembling like crazy. I wanted to do more to reassure her, but I didn’t want to take my eyes off the man in front of us though.

“Oh, sweet, sweet Gina. You know that’s not true. Visions of you were what kept me going all these years behind bars. The scent of your hair. The flavor of your soft skin. That cute mole you have on your hip. The pretty way you begged me to stop.”

“Leo, no!” Gina clutched my arm when I lunged forward. “Don’t, it’s not worth it.”

“Look at how she defends you. Even after what you did to her, she still thinks you can do no wrong. You were always her savior. Always there when she needed you. What about me? I was in that house with you too. Maybe I needed you. Did you ever think about that? Huh, saint Leo?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

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