33. Kai #2
Maddy and Roxy exchange gifts, and Leon leans over to Griff’s mum, whispering in her ear. “Has Griff always been such a big baby?”
She laughs, eyes sparkling. “You know he threw a tantrum when he was three because I took away his teddy. The thing was covered in fucking beer from the bar, yet he still refused to let it go. Maybe that’s why he’s such an alcoholic these days.”
Leon turns to Griff, eyes sparkling with amusement.
“You had a Teddy?”
“No,” Griff grits out, his jaw clenching.
Mama Griff snorts. “His name was Buttons.”
Everyone laughs, and I take that moment to lift Roxy into my arms. I don’t want to give her the gifts with everyone around. In the living room, the tree sparkles with golden lights, and I sit her on my lap, while Kaleb grabs both gifts from the tree, coming back to press against us.
“You got me presents?” she whispers, eyes flicking between us.
That look alone makes me want to buy her anything she could dream of. Just outside the room, laughter is a constant sound. Bonbons start cracking and the usual bickering continues.
In here, it’s just the three of us. Her bottom lip sticks out as if the very idea of receiving a present makes her emotional.
Kaleb hands her mine. A small rectangle box wrapped in shiny black paper.
“From you?” she glances up at me from where she is perched on my lap.
I give her a quick nod. My chest is tight, and I shift beneath her, irritated by the feeling. My heart beats harder than it should, and there’s a strange restlessness in my hands.
To stop from moving, I grip her thighs instead.
I need a Goddamn reality check. I’ve stared down the barrel of a gun without my pulse changing. Sat stiller while my skin was sliced by blunt blades.
And giving a girl a present makes me squirm.
For fuck’s sake.
Her fingers pull at the paper, throwing it to the side. I watch her swallow, staring at the black box like it might bite her.
“Open it, Black Cat,” Kaleb murmurs, running his knuckles down her cheek.
She shakes her head softly. “I don’t know if I can...”
Kaleb watches her for a second before taking her hands in his. She looks at him, nerves shining in her eyes. Almost as affected by this as I am.
“We’ll do it together,” Kaleb whispers to her. “Just like when we ruined Harrison. Hand in hand.”
She fights the grin that aches to curve her lips. My sinful girl.
She nods, and Kaleb guides her hands to help her click the box open. It feels like wasps are swarming just under my skin, and it’s nearly impossible to sit still.
Christmas lights reflect on the contents in the box as it slides open, and Roxy covers her mouth with a gasp.
Is that a good thing? Does she like it?
“No,” she murmurs, shaking her head. “I... I can’t take this.”
My beating heart stutters in my chest, stopping altogether. She doesn’t like it. My hands slide off her and I straighten underneath her, eyes dropping from the choker, black diamonds framed by delicate silver that twists between each stone.
Ash pays us well to be his seconds. Too fucking well. I’ve barely touched a cent of it. Didn’t have anything I needed to spend my money on. Until now. Or so I thought.
“Roxy...” Kaleb starts.
“I can’t.” She shakes her head harder, and my eyes flick up to watch her stare wide-eyed at the necklace. “This is... fuck. It’s too much.”
My jaw locks. Fuck.
“You don’t like it,” I murmur.
Roxy’s head snaps towards me before dropping back to the box. “I love it,” her voice is watery. “But I don’t deserve it.”
My hands find her body again, and my grip is tight.
“Don’t tell me what you deserve,” I growl, heart resuming its ridiculous fucking racing.
This time, when she looks at me, tears fight to slip past her lashes. She sniffles and her bottom lip begins to shake.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispers, the words barely forming. “Can you put it on for me?”
I will my fingers to not shake as I pick up the piece of jewellery and wrap it around her delicate neck. As soon as I clasp it, I grip her legs again, hiding the slight tremor in my hands.
Bringing her hand up, she slides her fingers over the smooth diamonds, her brows drawn. Because she thinks she doesn’t deserve it.
If she says that again... fuck. I’ll have no choice but to spend the rest of my life proving her wrong.
My fingers bite into her skin.
The rest of my life. Fuck.
I stare at the side of her face while she grips the necklace, as if it will disappear if she lets go.
The thought of having her for the rest of my life shouldn’t feel the way it does. It settles something deep inside my chest, something that I didn’t realise was missing.
Kaleb catches my eye over her shoulder, his narrowing just slightly. I look away.
Roxy turns on my lap, lifting her hair out of the way so that the black diamonds are on show.
“Well?” she whispers. “How do I look?”
My mouth feels dry. So many words form on my tongue. Like the most beautiful creature this earth has ever been blessed with. Like mine. Like ours.
Black suits her.
The look on her face fucks me up. Uncertainty shining deep in her eyes. I slide my thumb over the centre stone.
“Perfect,” I grit out, the words coming out like gravel.
The tears pooling by her lashes finally fall, and my thumb catches one before it passes her jaw. She falls against me, hugging me as if it’s the last time she’ll get the chance. Her small arms tighten around me, burrowing her face against my neck.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I don’t reply. I don’t trust my voice.
Kaleb reaches over for his gift, and she straightens on my lap, reaching for it. And then I see something that instantly makes me feel better. My brother, looking as nervous as I was.
Oh, we are so fucked.
A sly smile curves over her lips when her hands wrap around the bat, feeling it underneath the wrapping paper.
“Kaleb?” she murmurs. “What have you done to Kitty?”
Doubt flashes in his dark eyes. So slight, the girl wouldn’t be able to see it. But I do.