Page 48 of Empower

The same man who held me when I cried, the same man who had new tires out on my truck, the same man who made sure I had my morning coffee, and the same man who has looked out for me all these years, including beating the shit out of my stepfather not once, but twice.

Knowing that there was a reason behind him taking his time with this conversation, I wrapped his hand in mine that was resting on the side of my neck and brought it to my lap.

I whispered, “You can tell me anything Storm, anything. Your past is not what defines who you are today. I’ll still be here no matter what.” I said that with all the sincerity I could muster because it was true, as long as he didn’t say that he was already married.

Because I wanted this man to be mine, with every single breath in my body.

Chapter 10

Storm

Fuck, but I really hope with every single atom that makes up my body that she means what she says.

I closed my eyes, opened them, and then said, “Know it. Know it deep in my bones. I’m not good enough for you, but I’ll be damned if I don't work for the rest of my life to be the man that earns to hold your heart in the palm of your hand.”

When she opened her mouth to speak, I brought my free hand up and placed one finger in front of her lips.

I will give her everything she has ever wanted, but not this.

No, she needed to know.

She needed to know things about me that even my own daughter didn’t know.

“No matter what I tell you, I need you to be quiet so I can get this all out. Can you do that for me, Precious?”

She locked her eyes with mine and then nodded.

So, I swallowed and started my story.

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, but this conversation and Lena were too important to me.

I wasn’t letting a damn thing ruin this moment.

Not this time.

I promised that I would always put her first. It was time to let my actions show it.

And to get this story out, I found a focal point in the room and started.

“I was told when I was five that my mom passed away while giving birth to me by my stepfather. The day I turned six years old, I was sold. Sold to a man who promised my stepfather riches above his wildest dreams.” I said with my eyes locked on one of the bricks in the fireplace.

Keeping my focus on that one brick, I couldn’t risk looking at her face, or else I wouldn’t get the rest of this out if I saw concern, and pity in her eyes.

But I felt her hand holding mine rubbing her fingers back and forth.

“I was a small boy, and I was skinny, that came from going days without being fed.”

I know I told her to be quiet, but I also knew Lena, and when she needed to know something, she didn’t hold back. Fuck but I loved that about her.

“Is that why you don’t ever let anyone try to get near you when you eat but me and Raine?”

She had picked up on that, I figured she had.

I nodded but still didn’t look at her.

“When you know how it feels to have food being used as a weapon, you treasure the hell out of it,” I said with a detached tone.

But Lena didn’t flinch. Not once. She just kept running her fingers over my knuckles.