Page 52 of Possession

I’m completely and utterly devastated by what my father did to me. He had a choice. He could have done anything not to make that deal, but he didn’t. He took the easy way out and saved himself. A parent should protect their child above all else, not offer them up on a platter to be devoured by the enemy.

But Boz is different.

In his own way, he’s done nothing but protect me. I know I’d be married to Damian at this moment instead of attending his funeral had my wedding not turned into a bloodbath. That thought makes me shudder.

Boz pulls me tighter to his warm, hard chest. It’s the only thing holding me up as tears threaten to ruin my makeup.

“Get out of my fucking sight,” Boz growls. Two guards from the house have moved in to flank us. “Damian’s funeral is not open to the public. I don’t need another bloody ceremony on my hands. If Landyn wants to see her mom, I’ll make that happen. But not you. She’s mine now, and there’s no way I’m going to let anyone near her who’s willing to auction her off like a cow.”

A single tear betrays me, but I don’t have time to collect myself because Boz turns to one of the guards. “Get Alba out of here, and make sure he stays gone. We need to get inside.”

With the side of my face tucked to his chest, Boz turns and leads me into the church. I catch a glimpse of Ed and Nic Decker glaring at us. Poor Eliza sits next to her husband staring at the pew in front of her. I turn my eyes to the marble floor to avoid everyone else as we walk the long, somber aisle. It’s not lost on me that this feels very similar to the ceremony where we almost died.

So much black.

But this time, it’s for a real funeral, not my figurative one.

We move to the front pew. Boz stuffs a handkerchief into my fingers and forces me to sit. When his lips touch the top of my head, he whispers for only me to hear, “Get through the next hour, baby, and you can put that man behind you once and for all.”

Well.

The ironic part is, I have no idea if he’s talking about Damian or my father.

I guess it doesn’t matter. Even though I have no clue what my future holds, at least I can put them both behind me.

I dab my eyes.

If anything good came from that ugly exchange with my father, it’s that everyone in this church will think I’m crying over the loss of Damian.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

But Boz will get what he wants … once again. I’ll act the part, just as he demanded.

I’m lost. So damn lost. Even if Boz would let me go and I could have this damn marriage annulled, I don’t know where I’d go. If he’s right, and Mr. Marino would come after me, I’d never make it on my own.

The casket is wheeled down the aisle. I don’t want to see it or think about that horrid day.

The organ starts to play a different piece than it did at my wedding, but it brings back memories all the same.

I tremble.

“Please rise,” the priest orders.

Boz’s lips touch my ear. “Don’t move, baby. Just sit here. I’ve got you. We’ll make it through the next hour together.”

I nod against the lapel of his jacket. I’m sure my makeup is a mess, but I don’t care. Between thoughts of that day and knowing my father doesn’t give a shit what happens to me, I’m going to lean on Boz.

I’ll figure out how to deal with the rest of my life after this damn funeral.

13

MY HEART

Landyn

The tide rolls in and out, lapping the sand and rocks. It’s white noise for the soul after another day in hell.

I’ve lived here all my life, but I’ve never been to this spot. There’s hardly anyone here.

---