Say It's Forever (Redemption Hills #2)(89)

Razors filled my throat as that demon screamed.

All mixed with the promise I’d made myself that night.

I will never kill again.

Salem touched my arm.

So softly.

So right.

I gave Eden a tight nod. “I promise.”

A commotion broke out in the other room, and Gage and Juni came bounding our way.

The two of them burst through the archway, nothing but giggles and smiles as they fought to get in front of the other. “We finished ours game and Gage won, he saids it was fair and square, but I’m not so sure, but Mimi said it was a sneaks attack!”

“Boom, bang, kapow.” Gage did one of his wrestling moves with an adorable kick, then he went beelining for his dad. He grabbed him by the hand. He started to jump when he asked, “Dad, it’s Sunday, and you know what that means. You’re gonna teach me to ride my bike without any of the training wheels because I’m so big and ready now, right, Dad, right?”

“It is Sunday, isn’t it? Seems like that must be the plan.” Tenderness coated the ferocity that was Trent when he looked down at his son.

Squealing, Juni moved to stand in front of her mother. She threaded her fingers together in a prayer. “Mommy, do we gots enough monies that we can get my bike today so I can learns to ride with Gage? I want to learn so bad, right now.”

“Juni—” Salem hesitated.

I looked at Salem with a plea of my own, cutting off whatever reason she was going to give that it couldn’t happen right then. I took the woman’s hand in mine.

Overcome.

Unable to stop it.

Blasphemy.

This magic I couldn’t resist.

Let me come alongside you.

A war filled her expression, a line denting her forehead, her eyes full of fear and building belief.

But I saw her yielding.

When her heart gave me the go to say whatever it was I was going to say.

I turned to Juni. “Just so happens your mom said that’s what she’d planned for today, and I thought maybe we should go pick it up in my truck.”

“Really?” she squealed.

“Yup.”

“Can it be pink likes my flowers?”

A low chuckle rippled out, and my fingers were brushing through her hair.

Emotion crested.

Rising high.

Higher than every reservation.

Devotion.

Loyalty.

Affection.

“What other color would there be?”

She grabbed my hand and started to haul me toward the door.

I looked back.

Trent was staring over at me, smug look filling his face.

I had to admit he was right. We never had any idea when life was going to sweep in and shake us up.

“Mimi, we’re goin’ to get a pinks bike and then we’ll be rights back,” she said as she blazed through the living room, dragging me along.

Mimi grinned at me. “I approve of this plan.”

When we stepped outside, Trent, Eden, and Gage started in the direction of their house.

“Meet us out here in two hours?” I told Trent.

He slapped me on the shoulder as he passed. “Yeah, man, yeah, we’ll be here.”

I jutted my chin in parting, and Salem slipped out the door and snapped it shut behind her.

I turned when she did.

The breath hitched in my throat.

Fuck me.

Sweet enchantress.

She paused on the top step.

Held like me.

Watching where I’d stopped halfway down the walkway with her little girl’s hand in mine.

That energy pulsed.

Though this time, it was different.

Profound.

Dread and hope and dead dreams resurrected.

I saw them twist into a disorder.

While my insides sparked with something I shouldn’t feel.

I tightened my hold on her daughter.

Salem finally moved, and I stayed glued to the spot while she made her way down the sidewalk. When she got close enough, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her snug.

I kissed her slow and gentle.

Juni giggled.

“You kissed my mommy. Nows she’s your girlfriend.”

I looked down at the little thing whose grin was so wide it curled up her entire face.

“That so?”

“Yes. It’s the rules. Gage tolds me so.”

The hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Salem’s lush mouth, and I splayed my hand wide at the small of her back. “Well, then I guess if it’s the rules.”

I winked at my girl.

“You’re ridiculous,” Salem whispered back.

“I’ve been called worse.”

Juni tugged at my hand. “Come on, we gotta go rights now.”

I followed Salem to the little SUV sitting in the drive.

One I’d called in and finalized the purchase of Friday because I sure as shit wasn’t going to put her back in her pile of a car. I just hadn’t told her yet.

She grabbed Juni’s booster, and I situated it in the backseat of my truck.

Under the arms, I lifted Juni, letting her soar through the air before I tucked her into the seat.

She laughed and giggled and twisted me up in every single one of her little fingers. “Thank you, Motorcycle Man.”