“What does that mean?”
“I should have killed you that first night,” he deadpans.
I flinch and swallow the lump that’s now forming in my throat. Easton stops me from scooting away with a hand on my thigh.
“Why didn’t you?” I brave the chance of asking something I’m not sure I really want to know the answer to.
“I don’t know. But we weren’t supposed to let you walk out of that shop. And I had every intention of leaving you alone once I was sure you wouldn’t talk. I should have left you alone.”
“Why did you go after my father, and what do you need with his business?”
“There are rules in my family,” he blurts and leans forward with his elbows on his knees. “When I broke them for you, my father started digging. There’s a lot that I can’t tell you. But we have a reputation in this town. We’re not good people, and my siblings and I will do everything our father tells us to.”
“The man that adopted you?”
He nods.
“He has certain expectations for us, and your dad was just a casualty.”
“How does that happen, Easton? I never shared anything about my past with you.”
“My father wasn’t happy that I let you live. He didn’t like that I found something with you. Relationships don’t live in my world, he’s always made sure of it because he sees them as a distraction. So when I went against the grain for you, and he learned we’d been spending time together, he threatened you. So, I had a choice to make—you or a piece of your father’s company. I told him no at first, I wanted to keep you out of this. But he doesn’t take too well to being denied. We make our riches by making deals with people.”
“That’s what you call beating my dad? A deal.”
“Yes. I didn’t want to do it if that’s what you’re thinking. But like I said, you or him. We told your father the stakes, but he chose his money. All he had to do was sign. What happened today was because he was stupid.”
I let out a soft laugh, though it comes out more as a grunt.
“So all of this was because you let me live?”
He doesn’t use words to respond, but his eyes tell it all.
“Why did you?”
I wait for him to speak, but he doesn’t.
“I understand about your father. I get that you’re not good people. You’re a bad guy, so why did you let me live?”
He backs away, but I grip his chin and make him look at me.
“Why do you keep coming around me? You let me go, I told you I wouldn’t talk. So why? What are you hiding from me?”
He wraps his fingers around the hand I have on his face, squeezing me. “I don’t know how, and I don’t know why—but I love you.”
I suck in a breath. This is the most he’s said to me since we’ve met. Anytime I ask questions, he diverts to something else. But now, knowing this, last night makes sense. The pain he harbored, the need to show me what it’s like to fully be with him, he was testing me, seeing if it was worth it.
He did me wrong and knew that if I found out, I’d hate him. So he let me in, showed me a piece of his world, and made me feel like I belonged.
“You hurt me.”
“I did.”
“I should hate you.”
“You should.”
I place my forehead against his, and we stare at each other. “I think I love you, too.”
“I know.”
“You can’t lie to me anymore.”
He nods.
“And you don’t beat up my father again.”
He gives me a small smile. “I can’t make any promises.”
I return his smile. “I’m serious.”
“You don’t have to worry. I choose you; my father doesn’t control me anymore.”
Now it’s my turn to nod.
“We can make this work, right?”
“I might drive you crazy,” he admits.
I stroke his cheek then place a peck to his lips. “I can live with that.”
Epilogue
Arloe
ONE YEAR LATER
“We can move that table over there,” I direct to Greer, walking out of my office in the back.
It’s been an entire year since Tatum LaRose released his last book, so I know readers are going to flock into the shop knowing he’ll be here tonight.
I’m honestly surprised he chooses Ever After Books to be the first stop on his new release tours, but I won’t complain.
In the past year, Easton has tried to pay for renovations for my store and new product, but I refuse. This is my place, and I want to work for all of the upgrades I have in store. Luckily, tonight will set me over my goal.
“Hey, boss lady!” Greer calls as I continue walking. “Do you want to make sure the register is up and running while I finish the displays? I don’t want any mishaps tonight.”
“Sure thing!” I shout back and head to the front.
As I work on the machine, I see a line of people ready and waiting outside the doors. It brings a smile to my face knowing it’s my shop they’re waiting to get into. Sure, they aren’t exactly here for me, but it still makes me happy.
I hit the register on the side, and the numbers on its small screen unfreeze. I scan a book lying on the counter to make sure everything is in working order, then clear it out.
“It’s good to go, Greer!”
“Perfect! Thank you!”
When I glance out the window again with the intention of letting everyone know we only have a few minutes left, he catches my eye.
It’s easy to pick him from a crowd. He’s always dressed head to toe in designer suits, and he always looks at me the same way.
Full of lust.
My cheeks instantly burn under his gaze, but I try to hide it. I nod toward the back as he watches me, then he disappears. Within seconds, he’s coming into the back door with the same look.
He stalks toward me with hooded eyes and a sinister grin. “Amore,” he whispers when he stops in front of me.
He leans in, pushing my hair from my shoulder, and kisses my neck.
“I curled it just for you.” I smirk, knowing he prefers my hair up.
“You know that calls for a punishment, right?” His lips brush over my skin as he talks, sending a shiver down my spine.
“I do.” I grin, doing my best to hide the giddiness building in my stomach.
“So is this how it will be now? You doing things on purpose just so I smack your ass or make you choke on my cock?” He moves up, catching my earlobe between his teeth.
I shrug. “Maybe. But for now, I need your help setting up.”
“Mm.” He moans lightly in my ear then standing back to his full height. “Once this reading is over, you’re mine.” He grins.
“I know.” I smile back. “Now can you use those big muscles and move the table from the front to the center? I want to have another display of his books there.
He nods and rolls his eyes playfully before getting to work.
I’m so engrossed in watching the way his body moves, I never notice Greer come up behind me.
“I think you enjoy watching him more than anything.” She laughs.