20. Grimm
20
GRIMM
Outside and on our way to grind and pack up Dipshit, Verena wastes no time gaining knowledge about my family. “So what’s up with your family? I know you have a lot of siblings but is it really that bad?”
Chuckling, I side-eye her and shake my head. “You waste no time, Losado.” She smiles, her eyes twinkling. It’s the most genuine smile I’ve yet to see on her face.
“My siblings are half siblings. We don’t have the same mom. Their mom is my dad’s first wife. They were separated but raised us all under one roof. They were high school sweethearts, got married, had a bunch of babies, the whole nine. From what I’ve been told, they were having some financial troubles which added stress to their already stressful lives with trying to care for a small tribe. Their mom had a family thing in Spain and needed to take a trip. While she was gone, my dad stepped out and had a one-night stand with my mom. Long story short, she got pregnant with me and decided to keep it.” I let out a sigh.
“Why she didn’t just abort me is what I never understood. She had an affair with a married man, chose to keep the baby even after finding out about his situation, has the baby, and then to top it all off, she fucking leaves.” My mother walking out of our lives isn’t something I talk about often. Because when I do, my emotions take over. Emmett is the only one who saw the changes within me after she left. The facade I had to put on everyday was taxing enough. “So I have a runaway mother, a step-mom who despised my existence all my life, and siblings who think I was a mistake–granted, they aren’t wrong–that shouldn’t have had any relation to their family. Growing up in that house was utter chaos and treachery. Going back isn’t as easy as it sounds. Even if it’s just for dinner.”
We reach the tunnels and Verena hasn’t said a word. I’m hoping I didn’t scare her off with the truth of my family. It can get pretty heavy, but I made sure to only share the lightest bits. Outside of the room where Leo’s body resides, she places a hand on my arm, stopping me from entering. “I’m sorry. You’re always such a big goof. I figured that came from having a functional family. I hope you know you aren’t a mistake. There’s a reason you’re here.”
My gaze fixates on hers and my lips curve into a smirk, “Yeah. You.” Her cheeks grow red from my comment and my cock throbs at her innocence. The slightest bit of flirting drives her up the walls. She acts like a young schoolgirl who’s never felt true romance.
Well all of that is about to change, my little monster.
“You’re an incredible man, Grimm. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.”
Shaking my head, I reach for her hand still placed on my arm and bring her knuckles to my lips. I place a kiss on each one and whisper, “It’s all for you.”