Page 96 of Revolt

When I resurface, Dal is already naked and striding into the water, unwilling to leave me even for a second. I wait for him, and when he’s close enough, I launch myself at him. He captures me midair and lets me climb his body until I’m wrapped around him. Grinning, he dunks us, and I sputter and giggle when we resurface. I brush my hand across his face to remove the water from his lashes, pushing his usually perfectly styled hair back with the water. He freezes under my touch, and I soon see why.

At the very edge of his hairline is an old white scar. “What happened?” I ask, peering into his beautiful eyes.

“One of my mother’s friends tried to scalp me for my disrespect.” He says it so casually, like one would discuss the weather, but my heart breaks for the little kid who suffered through that.

Taking his hand, I guide it to a tattoo on my side. “Feel that?”

I bite my lip as he carefully runs his calloused hand across the scar like I’m breakable. “What’s it from?” he murmurs, anger in his eyes.

“My father stabbed me with a beer bottle. Took ten stitches to close it.” He blinks, and I grip him tighter. “Your scars don’t scare me, Dal. I have my own, and one day, I will know every one of yours and their story and I will kiss them all better. No matter how you feel now, you hurt back then and I’ll make it better.” I drag my lips along the scar, and I hear him inhale harshly.

Unlike the others, Dal feels differently. Emotions are deeper, more intense, and unsure for him. He hides it so well, but in moments like this, I know he feels. He calls himself a psychopath, but I think it’s only because he had to become one to survive.

He was given no other choice.

We float in each other’s arms, two broken, scarred beings with pasts so dark that shadows still haunt us today, but here is the thing about shadows—the sun always chases them away.

“I love you, Reign.” My eyes widen and my heart stops. “I never knew what that word meant before. I should ask the others, but I can’t explain these feelings any other way,” he mumbles. “I think about you every waking moment, day or night. I can’t sleep without knowing you are okay and happy. I wake up and my first thought is to check on you. I worry about you eating and drinking enough. I want to know every thought in your head and make every hope and dream come true. I see the sunrise and I think of you. I watch the moon and I hear your lyrics and laughter in my head. Everything I see reminds me of you, and when you’re not at my side, I wonder what you are doing. When I see something beautiful, I want to take a picture and show it to you, so yes, Reign Harrow, I believe this is love. “

“Dal . . .” I don’t even know what to say.

“You don’t have to say it back. I just needed you to know. I refuse to wait another second without you knowing that you own me mind, body, and soul. You have my heart, something I didn’t have until you. It’s new and scarred, but it’s there and it’s yours. I’m a man who has done terrible things, Reign, and I will never be perfect, but one day, I hope you love me too because I would give everything to be loved by you. Until then, this is more than I thought I would ever have or wanted. I needed you to know that.”

Before I have a chance to respond, not that I would know what to say, he kisses me softly, telling me with that kiss that it’s okay and he understands. Tears slide from my eyes, mixing with the water of the pool, and when he pulls back, I bury my head into his shoulder and he holds me.

No expectations, no rushing me or getting angry.

He didn’t tell me he loves me to hear it back. He told me he loves me because it’s true, and that is what makes me start to fall more in love with him.

Yes, more. I can admit that they have my heart, but it terrifies me, so knowing they are willing to wait without rushing me makes me want to cry.

How could one person ever be this lucky?

FORTY-TWO

Reign fits effortlessly into our lives, especially here. Astro’s family has always been like our own, welcoming us when ours abandoned us. They showed us love, comfort, family, and friends. They showed us what family should be, and now they are showing Reign. Gloria fusses over her, constantly handing her food and blankets and drinks. She asks her about her music, her friends, and everything in between. Astro’s father, Glein, shows her around his land. He takes her shooting and even lets her sit in the car he’s working on, something Astro is shocked about since none of us are even allowed to step one foot in the garage.

No, Reign fits, and it’s clear they already love her. She belongs, and the radiant smile she gives me when she looks back from helping Gloria pound the cookies is all worth it.

This weekend away is good for her, for all of us. Here, we can be what we want. Here, we can be together, and by the way Gloria watches us, I know she knows. We should have known better than to think we could hide anything from that woman.

When Gloria goes outside to check on Raffiel and Astro, who are marinating the meat for tonight’s BBQ, I wrap my arms around my girl, placing my chin on her shoulder. The sigh of contentment she lets out is pure bliss, and I can’t help but turn my head and kiss her cheek.

“They look great, Reign,” I murmur.

“I’ve never made cookies before,” she admits.

“Well, you’re doing amazing,” I reply, “and Gloria loves you.”

“You think?” She perks up. “I hope so. I want them to like me since they mean so much to all of you.”

“I can assure you they do.” I kiss her neck just as Gloria comes back. She gives me a knowing smirk, and I move away, leaving them to bake.

I’m just sitting down to go over the police reports when an exhausted, scrub-wearing Cherry stumbles in. Astro’s sister blinks at Reign. “Who are you?” she asks.

I see Reign’s eyes widen. Cherry has been known to scare off all of Astro’s girlfriends, saying they aren’t good enough, so I stiffen, shooting her a glare. I love her like a sister, but if she hurts Reign, I won’t be happy.

“Hi, I’m Reign. You must be Cherry, right? Astro and Theo told me all about you.” Reign wipes her hand and offers it to Cherry to shake, not backing down from the frosty glare. Just as I’m about to jump up and intervene, Cherry’s whole expression changes.

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