Chapter Twenty-Four #2
“I won’t ever let that happen again,” I vow, my voice steady, certain. “The dress is for your eyes only. I promise.”
“Thank you,” he says, caressing my cheek.
Satisfied, I pick up my jeans and a tank top, ready to put the night in front of us. “An evening with you is just what I need. I love you, Colt, and nothing will change that fact.”
After dressing, we make our way downstairs to the stretch Hummer, and Colt takes my hand, leading me inside.
Curious, I ask, “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise,” he replies, pulling me into his lap.
I can’t help but get a little excited.
Our first real date, and in Paris, no less.
We pull up to the curb near the Eiffel Tower, its breathtaking structure looming above us. As the car door opens, I shift off Colt’s lap, glancing around for any clue as to what’s happening. But he only smirks, stepping out first before turning back, extending his hand toward me.
I take it, slipping my fingers into his as I step out of the car. The moment I look up, I’m momentarily lost in awe. The tower is massive—more stunning in person than I ever imagined.
Still, Colt says nothing. Instead, he walks with me, hand in hand, leading me toward a small, sectioned-off area tucked beneath the iron masterpiece. My breath catches as my gaze lands on a table set for two, candlelight flickering gently in the evening breeze.
I’m speechless.
A slow, unstoppable smile spreads across my face as he guides me forward.
“Did you organize all of this?” I ask.
“Do you like it?”
He pulls out my chair, and I sit.
“I love it. This is amazing, Colt.”
A string quartet plays softly in the background.
“Only the best for my girl.” He waves his hand to the waiter, and my smile widens as a rush of undeniable love fills my chest.
“When did you get the time to do all this?” I ask in disbelief.
He smirks as the waiter pours us both a glass of champagne. “This morning, when you were still in bed sleeping, I made the arrangements for dinner after I told Rob and the guys I was taking today off.”
He raises his champagne flute. “To you. The most thoughtful, patient, and not to mention, sexiest girlfriend in the world.”
“To you, my rock god. I’m so thankful to spend any time I can with you. I know I jump to conclusions and react before thinking or knowing the full situation, but I love you so much, and being with you is all I want.”
“That’s all I want too, baby. Just me and you… until the end of time,” he murmurs, clinking his flute against mine. His gaze is steady, filled with something so deep, so certain, it makes my heart stutter.
Then, with a smirk, he slides a signature Tiffany blue box across the table, the white satin ribbon perfectly tied, waiting to be undone.
Curiosity flickers through me as I bite my lip, a wide grin spreading across my face.
I carefully lift the lid, and the moment my eyes land on what’s inside, my breath catches.
Resting on a delicate white gold chain is the most beautiful treble clef charm, with a tiny diamond set in the bottom curl.
My fingers tremble slightly as I pick it up and turn it over.
Down the stem, in the smallest, most intricate writing, is an inscription—CS & DN enclosed in a heart, followed by the words ‘Until the End of Time.’
Emotion swells in my chest, warmth flooding through me. I lift my gaze to Colt, finding him watching me intently, his expression soft, waiting for my reaction.
“Colt… this is perfect,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
His lips twitch into a smile as he takes the chain from my hands and moves behind me, gently clasping it around my neck. His fingers graze my skin, sending shivers down my spine.
“Now you’ll always have a piece of me with you,” he murmurs against my ear, pressing a lingering kiss just beneath it.
I swallow hard, blinking back the sting of happy tears, then turn in my seat, looping my arms around his neck. “I love you,” I whisper, pressing my forehead to his.
Colt pulls back slightly, reaching for the dog tag necklace he always wears.
“Baby, I had the same thing stamped on the back of mine,” he says, his voice laced with meaning.
My brows furrow as I take his tag in my hand. I already know the front—12GAUGE-Slayed, his signature inscription. But now, there’s something new. He turns it over, and there it is—February 14, our full names enclosed in a heart, with ‘Until the End of Time’ engraved beneath it.
“For eternity, baby,” he murmurs.
My heart stops. And then it restarts, harder, stronger. The love in my chest is overwhelming, almost too much to contain.
All I can do is whisper his words back to him, my voice unsteady but certain. “For eternity, babe.”
Colt smiles, pressing a soft kiss to my lips before pulling me closer.
The next few hours are spent lost in each other, indulging in exquisite French cuisine, sipping champagne, and soaking in the magic of the moment.
Just us.
Until the end of time.
Colt’s hands always touch me in some way, whether it be holding my hand or placing his hand on my back, as we have photographs taken under the Eiffel Tower. The undeniable love I’m feeling from him fills me with new hope.
Hope that we can make it through.
Hope we can build a life together.
I know with all my heart that I want that more than anything.
I want to be his forever.
His always.
His constant.
Through all the good times and bad.
My only hope is that he feels the same way about me.
We take the stretch Hummer back to the hotel, and I know Hux and Dingo probably won’t appreciate the fact that I occupied Colt’s time today, so I decide to be selfless and say, “Babe, I think we should pop into the penthouse and say hi.”
He kisses my head and wraps his arm around me. “Don’t like being alone with me?” He smirks.
I roll my eyes. “Of course I do. If it were just you and me for all of eternity, I’d be ecstatic, but they’re our friends, and I have let them down today by being selfish and taking you away from the—”
They’ll survive a few hours without me. But if you really want to, we can pop in for one drink.
Then I’m taking you to our suite where I can show you how much I lo—” He winces, the word catching in his throat.
Frustration flickers across his face as he shakes his head, scrunching his eyes shut like he’s angry at himself for even trying.
A sharp pang grips my chest, but I force myself to push past it.
“It’s okay,” I say softly, the words gentle but carrying the weight of understanding.
“Like I said… you don’t have to say it.” I pause, inhaling deeply before I continue, my voice quieter now, more raw.
“I won’t lie, it hurts that you can’t. And yeah, I freaked the fuck out about it earlier, and for that, I’m truly sorry.
My anger gets the better of me sometimes.
” I swallow hard, then look straight into his eyes, making sure he hears me—really hears me.
“I know how you feel, Colter Slade. And just because you can’t say the words doesn’t mean you don’t feel them. ”
His jaw tightens, something unreadable flashing across his face.
I exhale, forcing a small smile. “So… one drink, and then you can take me upstairs and make love to me all night long. Agreed?”
“You amaze me. Most girls would’ve run with all my issues, but somehow you stay. Even though I know there are times when it is way too much for you,” he says, cupping my cheek with his hand.
“Well… I’m not most girls.”
We walk into the bustling penthouse suite, and even though there’s no after-show party, there are still people everywhere.
Colt holds my hand firmly as we take a seat on the couch.
Anna runs straight over. “Thank fuck you two are here. Johnny and Dingo are driving me bonkers,” she exclaims, slumping on the couch beside me.
“What are they on about now?” Colt asks.
Anna exhales. “The bloody meaning of life. Can you believe it, a bassist and a drummer talking about that shit? Urgh, I swear some of the ridiculous crap coming out of their mouths is just plain, well… plain stupid. My husband’s an ignoramus.”
Anna looks at me with her eyebrow raised, then looks across at Colt.
It’s girl code for, ‘How is everything?’
I smile and nod slightly.
“Wanna drink, guys?” Kira calls out, looking directly at us.
Two thumbs up, she brings two beers and walks away.
I’m sipping my beer when the door opens, and Hux stumbles in with a girl on either side of him.
His eyes are bloodshot, and his hair is a right royal mess.
There is no doubt he is one hundred percent wasted.
The girls bring him over to the couch next to Anna, and he sits, placing his head in his hands.
“Hux, you okay, bro?” Colt asks, concern etched in his voice.
“Woo-hoo, I’m on a flying carpet,” Hux replies, sounding excited as he throws his hands into the air like people do when they’re on a rollercoaster. I look up at Colt, who’s frowning, and his brows are creased so far together I think they might actually join.
“What the fuck, Hux? You’re off your face, man,” Colt berates. “So much for being in control of the drugs, you dick.”
Hux stands abruptly and stands in front of Colt. “Oh, brother, brother… where is my brother? The one who loves smack? Have you seen him? Where is he hiding?” Hux stumbles, almost falling on Colt.
Colt’s nostrils flare as he pushes Hux and stands, steadying him. “Hux, man, look what you’re doing to yourself.”
Anna takes my hand in hers.
I feel sorry for Colt right now. He must be angry and hurt that his brother is so wasted that he can’t even stand properly, let alone string a few sensible words together.
Hux dives his hands into his pockets and searches around. Colt watches him curiously, his hands steady on Hux’s shoulders.
“What am I doing to myself? Look what you’re not doing to yourself. But I can help with that,” Hux states, pulling a baggie from his pocket. Before anyone can react, he throws the contents of the open baggie in Colt’s face.
I gasp, as does Anna, while Hux laughs hysterically, falling backward into the coffee table.
Quickly, I stand and wipe the cocaine away from Colt’s skin.
His breathing is rushed and harsh as I wipe frantically around his eyes to remove all traces of the substance.
I can’t help but notice all the particles inside his nostrils.
Or the fact that his lips should be covered in the powder, and there’s nothing there.
Jesus! He’s inhaled and licked his lips. Fuck!
“Are you okay?”
Colt finally opens his eyes and looks at me. The rage is apparent as his hands ball into tight fists by his side. His gaze moves from me to his brother, who’s standing back, pointing and laughing.
Dingo and Johnny quickly move by Colt’s side as I continue to wipe off the powder from wherever I can see it.
Colt takes hold of my wrists and places my arms at my sides.
“Colt, hold it together, man,” Johnny says, placing his hand on Colt’s shoulder.
He shrugs it off and strides toward Hux, who has stopped laughing and holds his arms open for a hug. Colt clenches his fist and knocks Hux in the jaw, sending him backward to the floor. Hux laughs and rolls around while everyone crowds around him.
Thankfully, Johnny pulls Colt’s arms back and away from Hux. “Stop! He doesn’t know what he’s doing,” Johnny says.
“Oh, big bro, you fucking love the smell and taste of this shit. I can see in your eyes that you’re dying for a hit. I have plenty more,” Hux teases, pulling another baggie from his pocket and dangling it above his face.
Colt surges toward Hux again, but Johnny holds him back, causing Hux to laugh hysterically.
“You will cave, brother. Sooner or later, you will join the party,” Hux calls out.
Johnny walks Colt away and into his and Anna’s room while I stand on the spot, having no idea what to do.
I look at Anna, who says softly, “Maybe you should go check on him?”
Agreeing, I walk toward the room and move to turn the door handle when I hear Johnny and Colt talking.
“Fuck, man, fuck,” Colt exclaims loudly.
“Colt, I know. Just calm down. You don’t want Dee to see you like this, do you?”
“God, no! She can’t find out that I’m struggling. Every time Hux forces that shit on me, I wanna snort a line, just one, but I know I won’t stop. And I can’t do that to Dee, Johnny. She means so much to me.”
“I know, but you have got to be more careful. I saw your face when the coke hit you. I saw you snort it in and lick your lips. Colt, that doesn’t help, you know.”
I frown as my fears are confirmed.
He did inhale some of the cocaine.
The fact that he didn’t try to wipe it away himself should’ve been the giveaway.
“I know, but it’s instinct. I didn’t even know what I was doing until I tasted it. But then I smelled Dee and felt her hands on me. Somehow, I knew I’d be okay. If she’s here, then I can fight it,” Colt says, and there’s a brief moment of silence.
I take the opportunity to open the door and peek my head around. Colt’s sitting on the bed with his hands holding his head, and Johnny is next to him, rubbing his back.
Johnny smiles.
“Sorry, I’ll come back,” I say.
Colt looks up, his eyes wide and glassy, and he’s blinking rapidly. The sight makes me crumble. He’s high. Not that I’m surprised. There was so much powder on his lips and under his nose that he would have to be.
“No, let’s go. I need you, Dee,” he says, his voice rough, almost desperate. He stands, reaching for my hand, his grip firm, unsteady.
I look up, meeting his gaze—his pupils are blown wide, a stark contrast against the turmoil in his eyes.
Johnny catches my eye, his expression tight as he mouths, Are you okay?
I have no choice but to nod, though uncertainty coils in my stomach. Then, barely perceptible, I shrug one shoulder.
Colt says nothing, just wraps his arm around me, holding me close as we walk back to our suite. The silence between us is heavy, the night’s events clinging to us like a stain that won’t wash away.
The high may not have been his choice, but the fallout? That’s still coming.
And I don’t know if either of us is ready for it.