Wilting against the wall, I sigh. Hedonism pushes us to a tilting point. “Sounds so good. However, we’ve never had such a long-lasting argument, Leith. We should discuss it first.”
“Och, ye’re right.” Leith stands to his full height. “Wish we still had our best-friend superpowers.”
He cocks half a smile, yet the surface area of my skin comes alive. I miss this—the giddy feeling taking flight in my chest.
“Shhhh, we mustn’t speak of our powers out loud.” I encourage him, a full beaming smile spreading across my lips. “We just need to sharpen our powers again.”
Leith backs off as I hold out my hand. He groans.
“Excuse me.” I glance at my awaiting hand, then at him. “We went to a national video game convention, tenth round out of thousands, all on a single handshake.”
Laughing, Leith takes my hand, and we complete the old gesture. He then sits back against the headboard.
“Get over here, lass.”
“Okay, ass.” I saunter over, sexy as possible under the circumstances, and settle onto his lap. My knuckles caress the taut stone of his cheek. “Alright, let me apologize, baby. I was mad at you until I realized the mistake I made.”
His brow lifts. “That’s not an apology, hen.”
“Oh, just listen. I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart for creating so many extra hurdles for you. My shortcomings caused you more trouble in your attempts to fix problems. Also, for your clan. Your family has been mine for ages, and I was an idiot to believe that I could always keep the rest of the MacKenzies at arm’s length.”
“Anything else?”
“Nope. I’m done. Erika’s off the table. My claws were extended when you confided in her instead of me. Though, I am kinda indebted to her now.”
“I regret that. Though in my defense, I didna tell Erika much. Just to watch ye and Mia. That’s all. I promise. Oh, and to buy concrete. But she didna know what it was for. I’m sorry.” He burrows his face in my neck, nudging me with kisses. “Nearly killed me last night when Da told ye the story.”
I feather my fingers through Leith’s hair. I press kisses on the crown of his head. “We were a hot mess last night. Although, when you came outside to sleep beside me—as I pretended to snore—I expected you to climb into the same lounge chair. Thanks for the blanket, but I was still pretty cold, yet too petty to admit it.”
We stare at each other. Our lust dissolves into laughter. Warmth spreads over me, making me feel light and nostalgic as butterflies catch flight in my soul. Just as I’m settling in Leith’s arms, he says, “I’m killing Fausto for ye tonight, Chevelle. Nae stopping me.”
Squaring my shoulders, I reply, “My mind is made up. Fausto dies by my hands only. Support me on this, please?”
Chapter 58
Leith
With the silly,auld-school handshake my wife thought up for us, I conclude the wee lie. Chevellecanmurder Fausto. Does she have it in her? Nae. She’s plagued by bad dreams of her parents’ murders and holds it all in.
Though I’ll be the one to terminate thatarsehole, I frame her cheeks in my hands. “Okay, Chevelle. I taught ye how to use a gun for a reason.”
She thanks me with a soft kiss. “Tonight, after it’s done, baby, I want you.”
“But we’re here right now,” I groan against her lips.
“Nevertheless, I need this rage resolved.” Chevelle chokes up. “Why did I let that bitch slip through my fingers, Leith? Why?”
“Ye’re not that person.” I huff, brushing the tears from my wife’s face with my knuckles. Yenever will be.
“I will tonight,” she sobs.
Nae, hen.“Then I’ll supportye.” Staring into Chevelle’s glittering eyes, I’ll right one mistake from the past. Though her adoptive mother is deid, I’m gonna kill Fausto DeCastillo myself. It’ll be the last time I sever our vow.
* * *
This eveningwe’re seated in front of my laptop in Da’s office. I’ve grilled Chevelle on Fausto’s schedule. The constant social media updates and his penchant for a routine made it effortless to piece together his comings and goings. Though I’ve hassled Chevelle, she hasn’t failed any response, telling me howwewill be ready in his home.
I’ve grabbed our tea and settle back in the chair next to her. I hand her a navy-blue mug.