“And then I’m going to surprise you with a proposal like you goddamn well deserve.”
His eyes lit up like two stars in the midnight sky. “Maybe I could give you yours at a real wedding? I could invite Thea and you could invite your mother.”
“My mother?”The fuck?“Silas, have you been speaking to my mother?”
I tangled my fingers in the tight strands of hair at the nape of his neck, tugging just enough to lift his head. Eyes narrowed, I studied the soft features, and the distinct shyness painted throughout them.
“No, but I… I want to meet her someday. Do you… do you think she’d like me, Daddy?”
Ah, fuck.
“Sweetheart, she’s going to adore you, but I think I need some time before I can look her in the eye.”I killed her son.“Maybe we just invite Thea.”
“I don’t think she’s mad at you, Daddy.” Silas pushed his head deeper into my palm. “I saw her in the waiting room. Mr. Thomas called her. He told her the truth about Ezra and how he died. She didn’t want to come up to your room, but I heard her ask Mr. Thomas to tell you to call her. That’s probably good, right?”
I wasn’t sure.
For all his faults and fucked up beliefs, my mother loved Ezra. I suspected knowing who he really was wouldn’t make her stop loving him… it would just make it more painful.
Even in death he hurt her, and the only thing that stopped me from hauling ass out of this hospital bed to kill him all over again, was knowing that, in my own way, I hurt her too.
“I think she just needs some time, baby.”
“So, I should just invite Thea then?”
“Do you want more people there?” I’d made sure the whole fucking city showed up if that’s what he wanted.
“No. I don't think so.” His lips pressed together, and he seemed to really consider the question before nodding. “Just you and me is all I want, and Thea so she can walk me down the aisle.”
I grinned.
“Is there anything you want, Daddy?”
You.
Always you.
Only you.
Forever…you.
Epilogue
Silas
Daddy proposed under a starless,midnight sky just outside the place where I saw him for the very first time.
He looked handsome as ever as he got down on one knee and presented me with two things: a ring covered in diamonds and a piece of Ezra’s skull.
I loved them equally.
One I wore proudly, for the whole wide world to see.
The other was something special. A secret… just for me.