Chapter Thirty-seven: Rest

Grace’s Point of View

I knew what Aamon was trying to say without directly saying it. I closed my eyes and took a measured breath. I still loved him. I’d never stopped. But I thought for sure that he had moved on.

“Do you need me to say it, kochanie?” Aamon asked as he wiped away a tear falling down my cheek.

I nodded slowly because I did. I needed to know that even though I had walked away, tried to move on, and left him behind, Aamon still loved me because I had never stopped loving him. I needed those words, and I prayed that they would be the truth, not just something he thought I needed to hear.

“I love you, my Grace. I always have, and I always will. There will never be another who holds my heart as you do. If I couldn’t be there to protect you myself, someone else was always watching,” Aamon said softly.

His words were like a caress to my soul, and I kissed him before I could stop myself. Aamon hesitated for a brief moment and then kissed me back. Everything we wanted but couldn’t say was felt in that kiss. Sweet, tender, but full of yearning. Aamon pulled away first, gripping the steering wheel before him, his face full of pain and sorrow.

“I know you don’t love me, Grace. You didn’t have to kiss me,” Aamon said in a strangled voice.

He thought I was playing with his emotions. My heart sank. Fuck. Knowing there was a chance, even if remote, I needed to tell him how I still felt.

“I never stopped loving you, Aamon. It was the life you led I didn’t want, not you. I have always wanted you. I tried to move on. I really did. I just resigned myself to thinking that you had. I don’t know how to fix what I broke,” I said in anguish.

“You love me,” Aamon replied, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“Yes, you idiot. I’ve always wanted you, or nothing at all. I’d just accepted I would have nothing at all, that you would forever be out of my reach because I had walked away,” I mumbled.

“Skarbie, it’s always been you,” Aamon declared.

He gently lifted my chin so that I was looking at him, so I could see that Aamon meant every word he was saying.

There was a loud bang on the front of his car, and we both turned to see what had happened. Lillianna's rage was palpable as she slammed her hands again onto the hood of Aamon's vehicle, her eyes blazing with tears and a manic desperation that sent chills down our spines.

“You are dead to me, Grace,” she screamed and stormed off to her motorcycle. The engine roared as Lillianna sped down the road, filled with rage and pain.

Lillianna’s Point of View

I woke up disorientated, not sure where I was at first. My head hurt, and my eyes were swollen from crying. The last thing I remembered was Grace comforting me. She never said anything; she just held my hand while I cried and unburdened my soul. I didn’t leave anything out. I told her everything.

I must have fallen asleep because there was a pillow beneath my head and a blanket draped over me. I’d gone to my oldest friend because I knew I could trust her, even though Grace was close to Rei. She had been my friend first; Grace had always been there for me when I needed her.

I wondered if Grace had gone to sleep in her room, giving me my space, but she wasn’t there. There was a note that she had stepped out and would return soon. Grace said that she had her keys and phone with her. I wonder where she had gone. It couldn’t be far if she didn’t take her purse.

I’m glad Grace didn’t mind me staying here. I didn’t want to go back to my apartment. My mind would race with thoughts of Xavier and Rei. I didn’t want to hurt Rei, but I needed her to leave Xavier alone.

He belonged to me, not Rei. If she refused to leave his life, I would have to take matters into my own hands. I didn't want it to come to that, but I would do whatever it took to hold onto what was mine.

Grace had the right idea. Fresh air would be a good idea. Chances are, she was sitting in the courtyard. I grabbed my purse and closed the door behind me. I should do something nice for my friend, to thank her for being there for me yet again.

As I turned the corner, I saw Aamon's sleek black car. It starkly contrasted with the modest vehicles scattered around our small town. My mind raced with questions. What was he doing here after all these years? And why would Grace reach out to him now, after leaving him and his organization behind so long ago? Panic set in as I realized there could only be one reason for his presence: something must have gone wrong, and Grace had no one else to turn to but her ex-lover and former boss.

Grace also chose Rei just like Xavier did—a cold realization set in as I remembered what I had confided in her. Panic consumed me as I realized she may have called Aamon, not just getting me fired but potentially signing my death warrant. Grace may not have known that Aamon was Rei’s stepbrother, but I did.

I could approach them, say hi, and pretend nothing was wrong. I walked slowly towards the car, watching closely so I was not putting myself in a position to be taken out. I soon realized that Aamon was alone with Grace, and they were kissing, like full-on making out. If the circumstances were different, I would be thrilled for Grace. She’d never gotten over Aamon.

But knowing Grace, she would never have let her guard down with Aamon if he had not been completely honest. That meant she knew. My heart sank as I realized I was about to lose the one person I trusted most in this world, my oldest friend.

I wish I had a baseball bat to wreak havoc and unleash all the rage within me, but I channelled that and hit the hood of Aamon’s car as hard as I could to get their attention. Then I did it again but made eye contact so they knew it was me.

I ran to my motorcycle and sped off. I didn’t know where I was going; I just needed to drive before my darkness consumed me again.