Chapter Twenty-Nine
I feel the impact in my bones as I slam my fist into the latest in a long line of fuck nuggets that we have to get through. His blood splatters across my face when I release another punch straight into his nose, which will most definitely never be straight again. Not that it will matter after this.
At this point, I'm simply taking my frustration and anger out on the man. We’ve been going at this for weeks, since I brought Nina into my home, which is why I’m so fucking pissed. When he gave her to me without a second thought or taking a moment to consider what I could do to her – not that I'd do anything she hasn’t asked for, he signed his death certificate.
I roll my neck working out some of the kinks before I pull my knife from my pocket and slice him open. He’s given us everything he can or will, so he’s useless to us. Just my play toy.
A loud ding sounds from behind me interrupting my train of thought. Only two people have access to get through my do not disturb when I’m working in these situations. I turn to face Michael who has my phone in his hand reading what was sent.
“You may want to clean up before we leave, there is something more important for us to do.” His brow arches as he stares at me from where he remains leaning against the wall. His large arms folded across his chest. A knowing smile plastered on his smug face.
The text from my mother wasn’t necessarily urgent, however I’m happy to have seen it with time to run a few errands before my attendance is required at home. Michael pulls the SUV up to the spot just outside Oopsie Daisy, a local florist that most people’s go to for forgotten celebrations. However, the place is run by my aunt on my dad’s side, who I haven’t seen in years.
The exterior looks exactly the same as the last time I had been here before leaving. My heart skips a beat as I step out of the car when I see a tall woman with short grey hair through the window. She’s twelve years older than my mom, but looks damn good for her age. Time has treated her well. My aunt Celeste smiles while she helps a customer. My eyes find Michael, who nods for me to go in alone. I pull open the door, the scent of fresh flowers engulfing me in a cloud causing a flood of memories to return like a slap in the face.
“Best of luck, Sweetheart, let me know if you need another bouquet. Forgetting your first wedding anniversary usually requires some jewelry too.” She reaches across the counter and places her hand on the customer's hand to offer sympathy before offering a card with the other. “Go here and ask for Joe, he’ll help you find something.”
The customer repeatedly thanks her as they walk past me and out the door. Her green eyes raise to meet mine and I smirk as soon as the recognition clicks. She rushes around the counter, her eyes sparkle as she moves toward me, I take a few steps to shorten the distance. I feel her shoulders shake with quiet sobs when she crashes into me, and my arms fold tight around her tiny frame.
“Hey, Auntie C.” I chuckle through bleary eyes.
She pulls away to cup my hands between her aged hands, the only part of her that looks visibly older. She presses a kiss to each side of my face before speaking.
“Child! Don’t you dare Auntie C me. It’s been eight years since you’ve let me see you!” She shakes her head at me. “I have missed you so damn much kid! Your Uncle Joe will be so happy to know you are home!”
She and Joe are the only two people I’ve stayed in contact with. They tend to make an annual trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show. She’s attended design classes and even taught a few over the years while they’ve attended. I may have joined them every year up until I opened my own firm. My aunt may be an understanding person, but she’s given me shit about it as often as she can get in touch with me.
“Will you ever let me off the hook? I’m back and you’ll see me as often as you’d like now.” I chuckle as I press a kiss against her cheek.
She swats my chest as she drags me over to behind the counter so we can sit on the stools she has hidden back there. I shake my head with a small smile, this place hasn’t changed at all.
“I figured I’d see you at some point when I heard about him.” She cocks a brow at me with a silent question. She knows why I left all those years ago.
My shoulders lift and fall nonchalantly but I can’t fight shooting a wink which makes her laugh. After a few minutes of playing catch up and confirming that my return is permanent she stares at me, her gaze bores into my soul and she lets out an excited gasp.
“You’ve got a lady friend! Did you bring her back with you? How did you meet?” She rapid-fires question after question before I hold up my hands in surrender and explain as much as I can. Nina’s story is her own to share after all.
Twenty minutes later I’ve got a bouquet of sunflowers and pink roses in hand with a promise that it will have Nina devoting herself to me. My mind begins to wonder at the possibilities after that comment as I return to the car and stare out the window watching the town pass by while we head back to my house. My phone dings with a notification dragging my attention away from my completely inappropriate thoughts.
Mother:
Where the hell are you! Milo has everyone here, Jade has everything ready, and Abel just messaged saying that they’ll be here in twenty minutes!
I shake my head and put my phone away as we pull into the driveway, the front door swings open as soon as I step out. My feet move forward with purpose as I approach, the scowl on my mother's face has me chuckling.
“I was talking to Aunt C, I haven’t seen her since I’ve been home. It’s not like I would let Nina beat me home.” I roll my eyes at her, “You know I had Abel messaging me when I was at the thirty-minute mark.”
She swats my chest in the same way Celeste did not long ago, I groan in annoyance since my mother didn’t hold back. I step aside and walk toward the kitchen where my men who have been a constant in Nina’s life since she’s arrived here, Aunt Tabs and Jade are waiting for us. I turn and grin at my mother who is hot on my heels and pull her into a hug.
“Thank you for doing this for her.” I praise my mom who pushes me away so she can join Milo and Jade by the counter. My eye twitches at the sight of them being so goddamn obvious. They’re not even attempting to hide it anymore. I can’t wait to end this shit with Barone so I can kill my best friend.
A few minutes later, Nina and Brittany walk into the kitchen carrying several black bags along with an obviously amused Abel, and stoned face Rand.
“Happy birthday, Short Stack.” I grin at her as I step forward and pull her into my arms, my mouth crashes against hers as I take the kiss I’ve needed since I left her this morning. It only lasts a moment before we separate.
“Hi,” her breathy response has my dick hardening in my pants. Nina glances around and her cheeks flush as she takes in everyone who is here. “What’s going on?”
Brittany snorts from behind us and quietly says “Surprise, Tink. It’s your birthday party.”
Nina’s eyes go wide as she looks at me and down at her hands before glancing back up at me. I cock a brow at her, but don’t say anything as I hand her the flowers. She instinctively reaches out to take them from me but loses grip on her bags, which drop to the ground. An audible buzz sounds from the bags which makes Abel burst out in laughter, while Nina’s face pales to a sickly white. Her eyes don’t leave mine as Brittany kneels down to pick them up. She fails horribly at hiding her laughter, even more so when something bright pink rolls out. I glance down at the ground, my own grin unable to be contained at this point. Nina’s chest and cheeks could rival Ariel's hair color. I take a step toward her to try to ease the discomfort until I hear a voice behind me speak up.
“That thing will blow your mind!” Milo’s remark is met with an audible slap followed immediately by my mother's voice.
“ Idiota !”
My expression must show the rage that the exchange between my mother and Milo solidified for me on what I already assumed was happening because Nina lunges forward and wraps her arms around me. Her body trembles against me as I encase my arms around her, finding solace in her embrace.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispers into my neck as tears coat my neck. “I won’t use them.”
When the meaning behind her words registers, I lift her into my arms and carry her across the open space of the kitchen toward the pantry. My hand presses against the frosted glass door and it swings against the wall just enough to rattle whatever is on the shelves before I slap it closed. I set her down and lean down so my face is mere inches from hers.
“ Amore mio , I want you to understand something right now. I would never be upset with you over something like this.” I cup her cheeks between my palms and press my mouth to hers briefly, separating just long enough to make sure I’m crystal fucking clear. “If you want to use toys with me, without me, on me. I will do any fucking thing that will make you happy and bring you pleasure.”
Her eyes blink rapidly as I speak, her breaths are still coming out in quick succession.
“ Bella , the anger you saw out there wasn’t even close to being directed toward you.” A gentle smile pulls at the corners of my mouth as she begins to calm down. “Why don’t you head back to our room. I’ll meet you there in a few minutes, alright?”