The Redemption(71)



“I’m leaving tomorrow.”

Wrapping my arm around him, I ask, “Where are you going?” I know he can hear my fears, the loss of him already felt deep within.

“I’m going to my grandfather’s house for a week. My mother called a meeting. My brother will be there.”

“Would you like me to go with you?”

He kisses my forehead, then says, “I wouldn’t wish that kind of trip on an enemy. Definitely never on someone I love.”

Love. My head swims in the undertow of his words. “You say things like that so easily, like you think I won’t notice.”

That makes him laugh, which is something I love. He replies, “I’m tired of hiding my feelings, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna shout it from the rooftops just yet. I have a lot of shit to deal with that I don’t think you should be dragged into.”

“I think we’re both tired of hiding. That’s why I came over.”

Maneuvering over me, with an eyebrow wiggle, he asks, “So you’ve finally fallen for my charms, huh?”

I smile. “Your charms have been working a lot longer than you know.”

Hovering over me and with a cocky head nod, he says, “I knew I’d wear you down.”

“Oh, Mr. Caggiano, you’ve worn me out… I mean down, several times.”

Pressing his hips and his very apparent erection between my legs, he says, “And I look forward to doing it again.”

“Who knew the wild, bad boy drummer of The Resistance had the willpower of a saint? Not me.”

With a deep laugh, he says, “Me either. Just know when we’re together again, it won’t be just sex. It’ll be an unwritten contract. A promise from my heart to yours.”

My heart starts thudding in my chest and I pull him down, bringing his lips to mine and kiss him, making my own promise to him. When I fall back on the cushion, I open my eyes and smile when I see the happiness in his. “Go do what you need to do,” I say, rubbing his back. “I’ll be here waiting for you when you get back.”

“I’m gonna hold you to that.”

“I like when you hold me.” Dex smirks and I return the favor before pushing up against him and adding, “Also, I want you to check out and go home. If it’s not feeling like home these days, let me know, and I’ll help you find what you’re looking for.”

“Bossy and sexy. You’re turning me on. You should probably leave before I pillage your body for the remainder of the day.”

“I like pillaging and plundering.”

“Yep, plundering is good too.”

Reluctantly, I stand and look at my watch. After taking LA traffic into account, I say, “As tempting as plundering sounds, I should go.” He stands up as well and I can see his mood has changed for the better. “Walk me to the door.”

I tug him by the end of his belt until my back is pressed against the door and he’s pressed against me. He says, “Thank you for coming.”

“Thank you for the letter.”

His eyes steady on mine, our mouths just a few mere inches apart. Leaning in, he says, “You’re my constant. My north. The only compass worth following.”

Taking his face in my hands, the scruff is rough against my skin, his temperament gentle as I caress him. “I know you, the real you, Dex. You don’t ever have to hide from me.”

He leans his forehead against mine and closes his eyes. As soon as I close mine, he whispers, “I love you, Rochelle Floros.” Then he backs away, releasing me and adds, “Go before this turns embarrassing and I start telling you everything else you make me feel.”

Gah! This man. I just want him in so many ways… Smiling, I open the door and step over the threshold. But I stop, turn around and run into his arms, hugging him tightly. With my cheek against his chest, I say, “One day, I want to hear about them. Every side, every emotion, every thought you have.” And like before at Disney, I leave him with, “Until then,” but as I walk away, I add, “You have my number if you need me. Use it sometime.”

He nods, taking hold of the door before it swings shut. “Until then…”





I vowed never to come back to Diablo. At thirty, it finally seemed like the right time to sort my family life out once and for all. I sit in the Challenger for a good five minutes staring at the mansion before me and listening to Alice in Chains. “Rooster” somehow fitting right now.

I had so many good times and so many bad times here. It was where I learned my grandfather was not the overbearing monster my mom had sold him as, but later discovered he was worse.

My life seemed to develop and fall apart inside that stucco exterior. I was going one direction and then… and then everything changed. I sucked as a son and everything that my mother had wanted. I excelled at rebellion, so that’s what I did to save my sanity. Now I’m back sixteen years later to face the demons that plague me.

Gage walks out, his head down as if he’s already disappointed in me. Leaning his hand against the door of my car, I hear his wedding ring scrape against the metal, messing up my paint job. No f*cking respect at all.

“Dexter. You’re two hours late.”

I pop the door open, hitting him, and step out. “I was given a day, not a time, so f*ck off about some schedule you created in your head.”

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