She spotted her hair color, the exact shade. She saw her eye color, right down to the flecks of black and brown that came with the gray. There was her skin tone and her smile, too, a line visible in the corner, along with other colors that defined who she was and what she stood for. It was clear that Edmund had poured his heart and soul into this piece, reaching out to her soul and clutching it tightly—and just like that, she understood what a mistake she had made and how she had been so stupid not to see it before when it was as clear as day…as pure as he was.
Alexa sat on the floor, calling a number…waiting endlessly until the call was finally answered.
“Hey, Alexa. What’s up?”
“I’m about to tell a man that I love him and I want to be with him,” she declared. At the stunned silence, she went on. “He’s a vampire, by the way, just like Iz and your wife, Janella. And he’s not a Hastings. But he’s the kindest man I know, and I want him to know that he has my and Archie’s heart. I just wanted to inform you since you are our clan leader and deserve to know who’s coming into the fold.”
The silence went on. Then Angelo cleared his throat. “Are you sure?”
“As sure as I was when I kept Archie and loved him with all my heart. Will you trust me enough to tell him first and savor our moment before I introduce him to the clan?”
She sensed hesitation on the line. But Angelo’s answer was firm. “You always had a good head on your shoulders and loyalty to the bone, especially when it comes to your son, your brother, and our clan. And I’m not one to judge when I defied all rules and fell for my wife, too. Go ahead. Savor your moment. Tell me when you are ready to introduce him. I’m not a clan leader for nothing if I don’t at least check him out and boss him around.”
She choked on laughter. “It’s a deal.”
It lightened the burden inside her, but there was still one call to make. So, she dialed and kept dialing when she was directed to voicemail, refusing to give up until a sweet, no-nonsense voice finally came through.
“Alexa? I’m about to go to a meeting in five minutes. What’s wrong—”
“I love you, too.”
There was a loud inhale of breath, then a hiss. When he said her name again, she heard the emotions that buzzed straight from him towards her.
“Alexa. How did…you went to my studio,” he concluded.
“I am in your studio,” she corrected. “I checked out your new piece when I shouldn’t have, but it gave me more clarity than anything else ever could. I’m in love with you, Edmund. I had these feelings for so long, but I fought them because I was scared to love again. But I’m more scared of losing someone like you, and I would rather take the risk than not take it at all. I love you. I love you for who you are, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
“Alexa…”
“But I understand if I’m too late,” she said quickly, her heart pricking at the prospect. “I shut you out and I hurt you—”
“Shut up,” he growled, cutting off the rest of her words. “Just shut up. You already said the words, my love. You don’t get to take them back.”
“What?”
“Hearing you say you love me is the greatest thing I heard today—and I have a feeling it will be one of the greatest moments of my life.”
“Oh, Edmund…” She opened her mouth, then closed it. She wished she could see him and touch him, but settled on her spot. “You haven’t changed your mind after…everything?”
“I already told you what I felt, and you saw my painting. People who love each other this much don’t just change their minds, my love. They decide to stay and commit. I’m committing. I can’t wait to see you.” He groaned. “But I can’t miss the meeting.”
“Tonight,” she said, dazed over the need in his voice. “Come over tonight. Sleep in my room.”
“There won’t be much sleeping involved,” he promised. Her body burned, but she managed a civil agreement and redirection.
“Meeting,” she reminded. “I will see you tonight.”
They hung up reluctantly while she basked in the silence and the sense that she had finally done something for herself—and it felt so right. The minutes passed until her conscience told her it was time to move, so she stood up and left the warehouse, floating on a high on her way to the apartment. When Charlie met her in the doorway with a stormy expression, she knew.
“Did Angelo call you?”
“Yes,” he hissed. “And I think you are making a mistake.”
“Why? Is it because he’s a vampire?”
“He’s not your ex, but he’s just like your ex: a charmer and a manipulator. He’s trying to get in your pants and using any means available until he’s tired of you, then he’s just going to leave you like the last guy…and as usual, I will be the one picking up the pieces.”
The raw truth in the young man’s voice hit her like a ton of bricks and had her stepping in to embrace him. He struggled to get out, but she pinned him in place until his struggling turned to shaking.