Page 199 of Devoted

“Thank you, tesoro.”

I can’t lie, this hurts my pride a little. Having her dress me, helping me to the bathroom. It kills me she witnessed the state I was in. She’s taken it in stride, for now. I’ve scheduled a call with Dr. Jenkins tomorrow for her; she will need an outlet somewhere. I’m here for her, I always will be, but she also has to find the strength inside, especially when it finally hits her that her sister is gone.

“You don’t need to thank me. I love you, no matter what. You’ve seen me at my worst and still loved me, remember?” She kisses me on the nose.

I will never forget that time. The pain she went through is far worse than a few stab wounds.

“You’re far stronger than me.”

She shakes her head and laughs. “Can you really say that when you spent a week holding back my hair while I threw up? Or when you cuddled me through my nightmares? God, I was so broken, wasn’t I?”

She bows her head. I hold her hand, placing it on my cheek.

“I loved you then, I love you now. It doesn’t matter how we got here. You were neverbroken, Rosa. You are my perfect little treasure. Only ever mine.”

“I’m yours. Forever.”

Forever doesn’t seem long enough when I’m with her.

* * *

I stand outsidethe office door with Rosa still by my side. I can hear them all chatting in there already.

“You’ve got this. I’ll go make us some lunch. Maybe we can sit outside and eat when you’re done.” Rosa goes up on tiptoes and kisses my cheek.

“Sounds perfect, baby.”

I hobble my way slowly into the office, and Grayson and Keller are grinning at me.

“What?”

“You’re milking this a bit, aren’t you?” Grayson slides me a glass of scotch across the table.

“No, thanks.”

The last thing Rosa needs is me stinking of booze.

“Are you guys just here to give me shit?”

They burst into laughter. “Sorry, boss,” Grayson says while catching his breath.

“About that, I won’t be anyone’s boss anymore. I’m done. Out. For good.”

That shuts them all up.

“So, which one of you is taking me to the airstrip this time?”

“I think it’s best if we both go, in the armored SUV this time,” Grayson chuckles.

“When?” Keller asks.

“A few more days. I have some things to take care of and ideally, I’d like to be able to get myself dressed.”

“Fuck, things are going to be boring around here without you.” Grayson shakes his head, throwing back his scotch.

“I’m sure Frankie will keep you busy in my absence.”

“You trust him?”

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