Page 57 of The Forever One
“Si signore.”
Every piece of clothing on me, save for my boxers, is in the bag, yet I’m covered in blood nonetheless. River stirs on the couch, her breath hitching, and my heart breaks for her all over again. The mind is a fascinating thing. It’s our superpower but also our worst enemy. It can change the world for the better and, in the blink of an eye, can just as easily destroy it.
Right now, River’s mind is protecting her by allowing her to sleep so her consciousness isn’t working against her. Yet, from the frown on her beautiful lips and the crease right between her eyes, I’m guessing she’s dreaming about what happened. About Kai. About the incredible loss she will be facing as soon as wakes up.
My only job as her husband is to make sure that when she breaks, she does so in my arms, where she’s safe.
In our en suite, I get the towels ready on the counter while I run the shower, making sure the temperature is exactly how she prefers it. I’m walking back to where she lies, ready to undress her and wash the blood off her body, when I hear what I can only describe as literal heartbreak. A whimper escapes her slightly-parted lips just as a sob breaks free from her throat. Her fingers grip her shirt, stained with the memories of her best friend. Even in sleep, she feels the loss of him.
Fuck.
As I sit on the edge of the couch, I run a finger down the side of her face. Her scar is barely visible—another consequence of this life I chose for her—but I know it’s there. I watch her as her eyes dart right to left in rapid movements behind her lids. She’s not at peace. In fact, she’s struggling all alone in the depths of her unconsciousness.
“Tesoro, wake up, Baby.” My voice is soft. I don’t want to startle her but I will if I have to. “River, open your eyes, my love.” I bend and place my lips on hers, ignoring the blood that remains from when she kissed Kai goodbye.
Finally, her eyes flutter open and, for a blessed second, she’s forgotten that her world is upside down. For a brief moment in time, she smiles at me like I’m the reason her world is perfect. For just this fraction of time, she’s content all over again.
The transformation soon follows and with it, the frown, the immediate tears blurring her bloodshot eyes, the destruction of a piece of her soul.
“Tesoro, come. Let’s take a shower together.” I undress her, not wasting any time as she stares at me but doesn’t see me, I don’t think. Once she’s naked, I slide my arms beneath her thighs and shoulders and carry her, like my beloved bride, to the bathroom. The shower is large enough for us to be comfortable, with a bench along the entire far wall. I sit her down and unhook the shower head so she doesn’t have to stand. Her knees would give out, I’m sure.
With every passage of water, more and more blood stains the tiled floor as it circles the drain like a bad Halloween movie. River just stares at it, unmoving, as it turns from transparent to crimson, then back to transparent. Like the cycle of life itself.
“He’s gone.” Her whisper is as painful as a screech. It pierces my eardrum with all the pain it holds.
“I’m sorry.”
We wash in silence after that and before long, we’re in bed where her body curls around mine, begging for protection from reality.
* * *
One day turns to three and, while River allows herself to wallow in her loss, I make sure the arrangements are made for Kai’s funeral with constant guidance from Petal and Everest.
I’ve asked them to join us at the house, needing to keep them safe. I expected them to refuse but, to my relief, they agreed it was a good idea for them to stay together as a family unit. Freya refused our offer, blaming me for Kai’s death.
She’s not wrong, but that doesn’t mean I can ignore the fact that she’s his wife and needs support in this tragic time.
To my surprise, Lina offered to stay with her. She insisted, actually. The only reason I agreed was because I sent five men to guard Kai’s house.
Until we know exactly what the fuck is happening, I won’t take unnecessary risks.
“What day is it?” I turn my head, then my entire body, until we’re face to face, chest to chest, lying in our own personal bubble as my thigh rests between hers, the top warmed by her hot pussy.
“Monday. Tomorrow is the funeral.” My voice is low, even, so as not to send her spiraling.
“Oh.” She blinks and new tears well in her eyes, but she closes her lids and wills them to retreat. “How is Petal?” My wife, always worrying about others.
“She’s resting, keeping herself busy by choosing flowers and the place for the ceremony. I suppose a church is out of the question?” I’m trying to lighten her load and my reward is a faint smile flashing across her lips, but just as it greeted me, it’s gone again.
“We have to cremate him, it’s what he wanted. We’re going to need candles and Marie should lead us in prayer.” I make a mental note to let Petal know but I’m distracted by River’s sudden change in mood.
Straddling my hips, she circles my wrists in her fingers and, with a strength I didn’t think she had, pushes my arms up and above my head. I arch a brow at her, making sure she knows what she’s doing, my dick going instantly hard at the sudden position.
“I need this.” Leaning in, River captures my mouth with hers and grinds her pussy over my steel-hard dick. I feel selfish for even thinking about sex but I know what she’s doing. She’s seeking an escape and I’m her rabbit hole.
“You know I won’t… Ican’tdeny you, Tesoro.”
“I’m counting on it.” Chest to chest, she lifts her hips and before I can take my next breath, I’m inside her, deep and tight. We both exhale like our problems have lifted from our shoulders and our lives are lighter somehow.