Chapter Fifteen
Damon
T he drive back to Club Lust is quiet. Royce keeps glancing between me and Mackenzie, who’s cuddled into my side. It was so hard saying goodbye to Parker. More tears were shed—even a few from me.
It’s hard because we don’t know when we’ll get to see each other face-to-face again. At least it’s unlikely to be another ten years. If we went that long apart, we can figure it out for just a little while longer.
This time, Mackenzie and I will have one another. It won’t keep us from missing Parker, but it’ll help to not be missing both of them at once.
As the limo comes to a stop outside of Club Lust, my eyes find Royce once more. His smile is a little tight as we wait for the driver to open the door.
“I know talking on the phone isn’t the same, but we’ll do what we can to set up video calls, too. And this will not be forever. I can guarantee that Parker is already hard at work trying to find something we’ve missed.”
Mackenzie sniffles as she nods. “This was just what I needed—a weekend away from it all, and I’m going to be able to keep the house. On top of that, you brought back two men who I’ve loved my whole life. I can be patient. I know you’ll do what you have to do to fix this, and I’ll be here waiting. Not just for Parker either. A weekend together might not be enough to know you and Cormac, but I know enough. You’re good men, who love Parker. I look forward to a time when the five of us have the time to really get to know each other.”
Royce’s smile softens as he reaches out to take Mackenzie’s hand, pressing a kiss to the top of it. “I look forward to the same.”
“Take care of Parker, and I’ll take care of Mackenzie,” I tell him with a smile. “We’ll be here once you’ve cleared his name.”
Before any of us can say anything else, the door opens. Mackenzie pulls away from me to take the driver’s hand, allowing him to help her out. I follow her out with Royce right behind me.
“I’ll be back shortly,” Royce tells the driver. “I’m just going to make sure they both make it inside safely, then we’ll return to the hotel.”
The driver nods his head, shutting the back door. “Of course, sir.”
Royce grabs our bags while I take Mackenzie’s hands, the two of us following him into the club. Down the elevator we go, and then we’re stepping into the club. I smile when I find Mel standing there with a smile.
“Phoenix and Blaze, it’s good to have the two of you back with us.” She glances at Royce. “We’ve got it from here, Mr. West.”
Royce sighs, nodding as he sets our bags on the floor. Too quietly for Mel to hear, he murmurs, “You both have our numbers. Text us when you get home. Call when you can.”
“Thank you, Royce.” Mackenzie hesitates for a moment before wrapping her arms around him.
Some of the tension falls away as he pulls her close, kissing the top of her head. When she pulls away, I give him a hug as well.
“We’ll see you soon.” I shoot him a smile that he quickly returns before retreating back to the elevator.
“It looks like things went well, but I still need to ask—was everything okay this weekend?”
Mackenzie sighs, her smile sad. “It was. It was perfect.”
“Blaze?” Mel probes when I don’t speak up.
“One hundred percent perfect,” I assure her. “Thank you for checking.”
She nods. “It’s my job, but you’re welcome. Now, let me get the two of you all checked in so we can make sure you get paid. Your drivers are here and will return you home as soon as we’re done here.”
Mackenzie leans into my side, my arm going around her shoulders as Mel finishes up, having us sign the tablet before two men approach us. Todd nods to me as the other man smiles at Mackenzie.
“Phoenix, I hope you enjoyed your weekend.”
“I did, Leonard. Thank you.” Tears are glistening in Mackenzie’s eyes as she turns to look at me. “I guess we have to say goodbye now.”
I glance at the drivers. “Or we can go up together and say goodbye there.”
Leonard picks up Mackenzie’s bag. “We can certainly do that. Todd, grab Blaze’s bag.”
Todd glances at me before grabbing my bag and following the other driver to the elevator. I call back my thanks to Leonard as I take Mackenzie’s hand and lead her toward the elevator.
The four of us ride it up in silence, the drivers leading us out of the building before pausing.
Leonard glances back at us, nodding slowly. “Phoenix, I’ll put your bag in the car and wait for you there so you have time to say your goodbyes.”
He doesn’t wait for a response and heads straight for one of the town cars waiting at the curb. Todd nods to me, and without a word, makes his way over to the second car.
I take a deep breath as I turn to face the woman who’s held my heart for more years than she knows. “Call me as soon as you get home, okay?”
“I will. I promise.” She sniffles, wiping away the tears that have begun to fall down her face. “Why is this so hard? I’m already tired of crying.”
I cup her face in my hands, staring into her gray eyes. “I love you, Mackenzie Stewart, and I’m never letting you go again. This goodbye won’t last more than a day or two. And I’m going to be blowing up your texts.”
She smiles, nodding before she leans up on her toes. Leaning down to meet her, the kiss we share is sweet. I don’t trust myself to deepen the kiss—afraid I might not be able to let her go.
I don’t want to let her go.
I already walked away from Parker, which was hard enough. Knowing I have to walk away from Mackenzie too is killing me.
I just found them. I can’t lose them all over again. I don’t think I could survive losing them a second time.
“Hey.” Mackenzie grabs my hand. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
Shaking my head, I force a smile. “Nothing.”
“Don’t you dare lie to me, Damon.” She pokes me in the chest.
Damn it.
After ten years apart, I didn’t think she’d still be able to tell when I’m lying. I should’ve known better.
“I just can’t lose you and Parker after finding you again. It was hell walking away from him, and now I have to walk away from you. I don’t want to.”
Her smile is soft. “It’s not like you’re walking away forever. Just for a few days at most. And we can talk on the phone or text or even video call. We don’t live that far apart.”
“Logically, I know that… It’s just…” I shake my head, not able to put into words what I’m feeling.
“You didn’t think you were walking away forever last time, and you’re afraid this will be like that?” she asks.
I nod. “Yes. That. Fuck, Mac. How has it been ten years and you can still read me like your favorite book?”
She shrugs. “I’m just that good. Now, as much as I hate to say it, we probably shouldn’t make them wait any longer for us “
I glance at our drivers, who are standing beside the town cars patiently and nod before pulling her in for a hug. Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, I sigh. “I love you, Mackenzie. That’s never changed and never will.”
“I love you, too, Damon.” Her voice is heavy with the tears filling her eyes as she steps back. “I’ll let you know as soon as I get home.”
“You better.” I take her hand, leading us over to the cars. I help her inside, watching as her tears spill over. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
I step back and Leonard closes the door between us. I give him a tight smile and a nod before heading to the other car.
“Ready to go?” Todd asks, and I shrug in response as I climb inside. His smile is sympathetic as he closes the door—something I’m going to choose to ignore.
“Would you like me to play some music?” he asks as he climbs inside.
“Sure. You pick.”
I know I’m being short with him, and he’s done nothing to deserve that. I just can’t seem to help myself.
Music flows through the car as he pulls away. I watch Mackenzie’s car for as long as I can, but we’re heading in separate directions.
Once I can no longer see her car, I watch as the city passes me by—not really seeing anything as I recall the weekend.
It couldn’t have been more perfect. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into when I signed up to be in the auction, but this wasn’t on my radar at all.
Going into this, all I cared about was getting paid. Half a million dollars will make things much easier for me. I won’t have to work as much. I’ll be able to pay ahead for Mom’s stay at the facility. I can finally move out of the shitty apartment I live in.
But none of that is on my mind now. All I can think about is finding my way back to Mackenzie, Parker, Royce, and Cormac. To the family I never thought I’d have again. I’d give up the money if it meant the five of us could be together.
Unfortunately, that can’t happen until Parker and his lovers figure out who framed them—something I wish I could help with, but this is so far above my pay grade that I know there isn’t a damn thing I can do to help.
A fact that kills me.
“Blaze?” Todd’s voice breaks me from my thoughts. “We’ve arrived.”
“Right. Shit. Sorry.” I shoot him a smile where he’s turned around in the front seat. “Thanks for not getting out and trying to open the door for me.”
He laughs. “I didn’t think it would be a gesture you’d appreciate.”
“See ya,” I tell him with a mock salute before I throw open the door. Grabbing my bag, I step out and stare up at my apartment building.
I don’t want to be here.
Shaking off that thought, I close the door and tap my hand on the roof before heading to my apartment.
Everything is just as I left it, but it feels wrong—so wrong. This isn’t where I want to be. This isn’t where I need to be.
I made it home.
I don’t want to be here.
I don’t want to be alone.
Mackenzie
I don’t want to be alone either.
Come to my place? Then neither of us has to be alone.
My answer should be no because I’m meant to be at work in a few hours, but fuck work. With that money sitting in my account, I don’t have to worry about missing a day of work.
I need to grab a few things and then I’ll jump in the car.
Mackenzie
I’ll see you soon.
Thank fuck.
Now, this feels right.
I grab a few changes of clothes and swap them out in my bag that already has everything else I’ll need.
In less than five minutes, I’m in the car and heading for a town I never thought I’d set foot in again.
But I’d do just about anything for Mackenzie. This is just a drop in the hat of what I’d do for her—or for Parker.
While I might think of Morninghill as a place of nightmares, knowing I’m heading toward Mackenzie only feels like one thing—going home.