Page 83 of By His Vow
Maybe the next twelve months won’t be so bad after all…
As we pull up on our street, Kingston is still touching me.
My threat of calling an Uber went down about as well as I expected it to, and not ten minutes later did we say goodbye to Miles, who looked thoroughly pissed off about our sudden departure, as Kingston was practically dragging me away from the house.
I felt bad. Miles doesn’t deserve to deal with all of this alone.
“Who organized the funeral?” Kingston had whispered in my ear as Lori climbed into the back of his car.
He knew. He always seems to know.
He was right. Judith and I organized almost every second of today. Miles was too busy picking up other pieces that had shattered around our feet when we got the call to say that Dad had gone.
But that doesn’t give me the right to abandon him today.
I sigh as Lewis brings the car to a stop. Every inch of my body aches. All I want to do is pull on my pajamas and curl up on the couch with Mrs. Griz and some very strong alcohol. Maybe a tub of ice cream to go with it.
Kingston’s hand grips my thigh harder as Lori grabs her purse and twists around to leave.
“I’ll meet you upstairs,” Lori says, looking between us. I’ve no idea what she can see on my face, but Kingston’s expression is hard.
She’s gone before I get a chance to say anything or even attempt to follow her.
“You’re not going up there,” he states the second the door has closed.
“It’s my home. All I want to do is--”
“No, it’s not your home anymore.”
“King.” I sigh. I have nowhere near enough energy to deal with his bullshit right now.
“Very soon the press is going to be printing our engagement photos,” he explains, making my stomach tighten with anxiety.
I’ve never been one to dream about my big day and my perfect man. Sure, I want to find the one, but anything beyond that…I’ve always been happy for it to be a surprise. But learning that my wedding is going to be taken out of my hands in every single way—including the man I’m to marry—isn’t exactly something I’m anticipating.
“It’s time, Tatum.”
I shake my head.
Why today? Why can’t we do this tomorrow?
Because you’ll be strong enough to put up a fight.
He knows that I’m at rock bottom, and he’s going to use it to his advantage.
His eyes search mine. If he’s trying to see just how broken I am, then I fear he isn’t going to have to look very hard.
“Let’s go home, baby.”
A lump crawls up my throat. It’s so huge that I don’t stand a chance at swallowing it down.
My nose itches as tears burn the back of my eyes.
His grip tightens again in silent support, and I finally manage to rip my eyes away to look out the window and to my building.
“I’ll need to get some things,” I whisper. Mostly, I need to get Griz. I know Lori will look after her, but there’s no way I’ll settle long-term without her.
“I’ll take care of everything. Come on,” he says, wrapping his arm around my waist and tugging me into his body. “Let me look after you, baby.”