“Before tonight, I decided revenge was my mistake. I needed to just stop. After tonight, I’m coming for him.”
“He had to know you would. Why did he even come here tonight? I don’t understand.”
“I think he loved her. He always seemed to have a thing for her, even when we were together. There is no other logical reason.”
“I don’t know Kace.” I grab the blanket again and wrap it around me. “How much did he make off your music?”
“An ungodly amount.”
“Can you take him to court over your music?”
“I could and I’d win but he’d splatter this suicide stuff all over the news. It would hurt the charity. It would attach to Chris and Mark, and I can’t do that to them. Or you. That’s not the answer.”
“Her dying worked in his favor. I don’t mean to be a conspiracy theorist, but what if he killed her to save himself?
“Meaning what?”
“Her supposed suicide is what made you back off. You’re afraid it will hurt people you care about. He knows that.”
“No,” he says quickly. “I believe he loved her. And I don’t believe he would have shown up here tonight to bait me.”
“Maybe he wasn’t baiting you. Maybe he was using me to seal up the deal. To give you just another reason not to go public by taking him to court.”
“He reminded me why I will go after him and crush him.”
“How?”
“Harshly. And it won’t be in a way that he can hurt those I love.” He catches my arms and molds me to him. “Don’t run.”
“I’m not running. I’m naked, always completely naked with you. I always have been with you, Kace. About time you joined me.”
He throws away my blanket and takes me back to bed.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
The next morning, Kace and I have breakfast with Chris, Sara, Mark, and Crystal, at Chris and Sara’s lovely apartment. Mark and Crystal are staying a few days and Kace and I just want to go home, our home together.
After a smooth private flight home, with only Savage and Adrian along for the ride, we land in New York City. Once we’re in a Walker-driven SUV, Gio’s silence is back on my mind. “I know Walker has looked over the shop, but I just—can we go and just see if there is any sign of Gio? And again, I know that’s illogical. I know Walker would know but—”
Kace leans in and kisses me. “Of course.” He gives Adrian the instruction and it’s not long before we’re at the shop, the chilly now-November wind gushing around us.
I punch in the code, eager to get into the warm storefront, and Kace pushes it open for me. I step inside with him on my heels and gasp.
Gio is standing there, and his gaze goes to Kace. “What the fuck are you doing with my sister, Kace?”
THE END…FOR NOW
PLAYLIST
Back 2 Good by Matchbox Twenty
Pieces by Rob Thomas
Somewhere With You Kenny Chesney
Call Me When You’re Sober by Evanescence
Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur
Caprice No. 24 by Paganini
Can I Be Him by James Arthur
Pump Up the Jam by Technotronic
Purple Rain by Prince
Back in Black by AC/DC
Dark Waltz by Hayley Westenra