Chapter Twenty-Three
Justice
“So that was her,” Darby states as we stand in the office. I’m at my desk pouring another drink before taking it down and pouring another.
“That was her,” I confirm around the rim of my glass.
“I like her,” she says with a smile.
“You don’t know her.”
“Don’t need to. I saw the way she reacted to you. What happened between you two?”
“We’re too much alike. Neither of us knows where the road ahead leads. We’re both uncertain about pursuing a relationship. What the hell are you smiling about?” I ask her, agitated now.
“You love her.”
“No, I don’t. I don’t know how to love anymore.”
“Oh, come on. You can’t fool me of all people. I’m your sister,” she tells me. Darby’s right. I can’t keep secrets from her and never could.
“It’s not that simple.”
“It is that simple. If you love her, go after her. What the hell kind of man are you?” she asks. I run my hand through my hair once more.
“It’s not that simple. Sky’s lost, and clearly, she’s moved on.”
“She has not. Did you not see the way she pulled away from him? She isn’t over you, Justice. Where did you meet again?” Darby asks.
“At Dark Sinners.”
“One of your girls?” she asks, and I nod.
“Yes, she was. She kept returning, and then the shit with Bana happened. We spent every day together. I learned a lot about her, and she learned a lot about me.”
“You bonded. Sky doesn’t look like she’s over you yet,” she tells me.
“It wasn’t like that. She has nothing to be over.”
“Why are you lying to me and yourself, Justice? I can see the way you two looked at each other. Hell, she couldn’t even breathe.” Darby crosses her arms over her chest and leans against the wall. I glance over at her.
“I just can’t do it. I can’t ruin that girl’s life. Bana is still out there. I can’t keep putting her at risk,” I inform her.
“She’s safe with you, Justice. Sky would be safe with you; I know it.”
“You don’t know that. Bana could be out there anywhere. Anywhere! I can’t risk her too. What if something happened to her? Just like …” I trail off, not willing to say it again. I can’t relive that right now.
“This isn’t the same. What happened to your girls was horrible and tragic. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time, Justice, and you know it.”
“And her? Don’t you think that could happen to her too?” I snap at her. She shakes her head and shoves off the wall walking over to rest her hands on the desk.
“You can’t do this to yourself. You can’t keep using the past to ward off your future. What if she’s the one? Huh? What if she’s the one you’re meant to be with?” I’ve never thought of it that way. I’ve thought about her, thought about us. Could we be happy together? Could we be a couple?
There are so many things I’ve thought about, but being with her outside of the club? That scares me.
“You know I never thought I’d see the day a woman could bring the infamous Justice Sinner to his knees. It’s almost amusing to watch,” Darby laughs as I look at her. I can’t help but grin along with her.
“You came here for a good time. I’m sorry that didn’t happen,” I tell her.