46. Kennedy
Kennedy
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
"Are you going to call me?" Amber asks when, hours later, we're on Beau's private landing strip, about to board the Kostanidou's plane.
I felt really awkward when I left my room only to realize it was already past noon. I’d overslept, but when I apologized to her, she gave me a little smile that indicated she knew perfectly well why I was so exhausted.
No wonder Hades had time to get so much done. I’d slept half the day!
Not only did he arrange clothes for the three of us, but he also sorted out the issue of me leaving New Orleans and returning to New York, as the lawyers managed to convince the judge in my case that it wasn't safe for me to stay in Louisiana.
I don't think that's entirely true. Of course, the attack we suffered was very real, but despite not fully understanding who Beau is, it was obvious from his house, a true fortress, that he's a powerful figure in the state.
Although I have to agree that it's not safe to stay where we were living, something tells me that within Beau's property, no one would dare to touch a hair on our heads.
What I think is that Hades wants me in New York because that's his territory, his own kingdom. And there's also the fact that he told me the other Kostanidou are eager to meet King.
I love the thought of my son having a big family, but I'm nervous about whether they'll judge me. Hades is now certain that I'm innocent, but what about the others?
"I will, yes," I finally reply. "I can't say I'll be back to visit soon because it's not up to me when I can leave the state. Every time, the judge needs to be informed." It even took an emergency authorization for me to sleep away from the address listed in the terms of my bail, our old house.
The likelihood of someone coming to New Orleans to check whether I really slept in that house is remote, but I didn't want any trouble that could separate me from my son, and the revocation of my right to be out on bail would do just that.
She hugs me tightly. "Don't worry. Soon, all this will be over and you'll be able to travel freely."
"I hope so. All I want is the right to raise King."
"And live a good life by your man's side."
"He's not?—"
"Your man? Yes, he is. The energy between you two is shocking, darling."
I can't deny it. There might be a lot of things wrong between me and Hades, but lack of physical attraction and sexual chemistry isn't one of them.
"There's nothing wrong with dreaming, Kennedy. I was scared too, but I found my place with Beau and the family we formed."
"I grew up hearing someone tell me that I wasn't worthy of affection and that she was doing me a favor by raising me."
"A horrible human being for sure, because you are worthy. I don't know you well, but I can see from your face that you're afraid to entrust your heart to Hades. After everything you've been through, no one could blame you, but ask yourself this: if he left your life forever . . .”
"It will never happen. Because of King."
"Forget about King for a moment. If you two didn't have a child and you told Hades that you would never forgive him, and he accepted that, would you ever be truly happy someday?"
I know the answer, but I don't have the courage to say it out loud. "Thank you, Amber. I'll think about everything you’ve said to me."
"I want you to know that regardless of Hades and Beau, I'll always be here to help you, Kennedy. I've been your age, and believe me, I've been through hell too."
I give her another kiss on the cheek and start walking towards the plane.
Ernest went ahead with King because my son is crazy about aircraft and has several toy planes, and the pilot promised to let him see the cockpit.
"You can rest during the flight if you haven't slept enough," Hades says beside me, placing his hand on the small of my back.
I jump in surprise, and I think he misunderstands because he immediately stops touching me.
It's not that his touch hurts me—quite the opposite: I can't hide the effect it has on me.
"Uh . . . thank you."
He nods as if to say "you're welcome," and I realize desolately that he's keeping his promise: not pushing himself on me.
I climb the stairs of the plane without looking ahead, distracted, and stumble, but two strong hands catch me by the waist, and he whispers in my ear. "Careful."
I turn around, my heart racing but at the same time wanting to show him that his touch is welcome. "Maybe I did it on purpose because I wanted your hands on me."
One millisecond.
That's all it takes between my reckless provocation and Hades pulling me against his body.
"Don't tempt me, Kennedy. My hunger for you is nowhere near satisfied yet," he says, biting my ear and then sucking on the flesh. "I've tried to respect your space as you asked because what I want is not just a night or a week but a lifetime with you. I'm controlling myself, but I'm not made of iron. The limousine is still on the landing strip, and my willpower is hanging by a thread. I just need a 'yes' from you to take you back to the car and give us both what we want. A quickie with you on top of me while I make you ride my cock hard."
I open my mouth to say he can do whatever he wants with me because what he said made me wish for every second of it. My body is melting.
He turns me to face him, and my knees go weak from the way he looks at me.
It's as if I'm his world, the center of his universe.
Hades leans down and brushes my lips with his, and only when I part them for him to deepen the kiss do we hear a "muah" a little above us and then Ernest's laughter.
"I think we've been caught in the act," Hades says.
"We should go upstairs," I say, but not before brushing my body against his.
He follows me closely, and I don't have the courage to look back again because I know I'm teasing him.
Hades
I watch her as she dozes off with our son in her arms. King is enamored with his mother. He holds on to a strand of her hair with one hand and with the other, clings to the collar of her blouse as if he fears she'll leave him.
I understand the feeling.
"A mother and son's relationship is inexplicable," Ernest says. "He only saw her for his first month of life, and then they started living together again a few weeks ago, but anyone who looks at the two of them would say they never separated."
"Yes," I say, thinking about how much of his growth we both missed. His first steps, his first tooth, the first time he ate solid food. I know all about it because my brothers filmed their heirs in each of these phases. "Do you think he'll ever understand that I'm his father?"
"He will, yes. Like it happened with Kennedy, if you continue being part of their lives, King will understand that you are family."
"Thank you again for taking care of her and my son, Ernest."
"They're mine, too."
"As soon as I get the chance, I intend to tell Kennedy about Balantine, but I think you should be there too. I won't be able to provide details that only you, who lived with her mother, are capable of."
"I regret not marrying Clarkina."
"What?"
"I thought I was a terrible option for her, but I regret not setting aside cowardice and committing to her."
"You two . . .?”
"No. I never even tried. I thought she deserved better. But you know what? That was the biggest mistake of my life. I know there's a lot of resentment between you and Kennedy, at least from her side right now. But if you want my advice, my son, if she truly is the love of your life, never give up, because after losing your chosen one, no one else will be able to complete you."
"I know that."