“Well, what are you waiting for me to say? Thank you for keeping my husband’s dick company while we had to be apart? I don’t think so.”
I really wasn’t in the mood for any of this. I felt more like crying than lashing out like my normal self would have done.
“Is everything all right here?”
Trever was walking towards us and looking between us. Bianca immediately got a smile on her face and purposely put her arms around his waist to pull him close. “We’re fine, lover.”
“Red?” Trever looked at me but I said nothing at first.
This sight in front of me quickly became displeasing and I tried keeping every emotion back so he couldn’t read it from my thoughts. “Yeah, fine.” I hurried passed them and went straight for my room. My body was shaking; my heart was aching. I just needed to leave.
Chapter 20
Trever
Something happened—something was different. I’ve never seen Red act that way before and yet I was getting nothing from her thoughts.
“What did you say to her?”
Bianca was the only other person here and she had to tell me but she just smiled as she backed away while shrugging her shoulders. “I thought she’d be more threatening.”
“Bee! I thought we talked about this? We agreed that it wasn’t going to stay this way.”
“Well, what did you expect? That everything was really going to be okay? I don’t want her to stay around here. It’s putting thoughts in your head and it’s going to get you killed.”
“Get me killed?”
“Yes! You know how much Darius hates you and every time Ruby is around you have this annoying need that’s telling you to be near her when you don’t have to be. She’s not your problem anymore or is it maybe something more than that?”
I regained the space between us and gently touched her face. “I don’t feel for her like I feel for you.”
“But you’re still going to go to her. I can see it in your eyes.”
“I have to know that she’s all right with this. Something seemed off about her just now because of something you said.”
“Then go.” Bianca removed my hand herself. “Just don’t expect my tears when you finally get hurt because of her.”
She walked away and I was left to stand with a sigh. I wanted to go to her but that sight of Red was still on my mind. Something did seem different about the way she reacted to whatever Bianca said. I had to know.
I turned around and approached her door, going right inside just from knowing Darius was safely downstairs. “Red?”
She was lying on her bed, face down with her head buried in the pillow. “Go away!”
“Hey, are you all right?” I was instantly worried and got closer.
“I’m fine!”
“You’re such a liar.” I sat down on the bed next to her and put a light hand on her back. “What did she say to you?”
Red kept her head down and her voice muffled in the pillow. “She didn’t say anything, okay? It wasn’t her!”
“It wasn’t? Then who was it?”
“You!” She turned her head to me and I could see her level of sadness.
“Me? What’d I do?”
She sighed and looked away, turning to her side so her back was facing me. “Nothing. I mean—nothing I’ve ever witnessed seeing before.”
I was just completely confused and I solemnly was around Red. “What are you talking about?”
“You being with someone else. I’ve never seen it before.”
“And you’re upset?”
“I know how you’ve pretended to be when you were around Ryon and Kole because let’s face it, they’re complete animals when it came to women but I’m just realizing that I’ve never seen you with one.”
“Because I never was. It was only you.”
“I know. I guess I just hated seeing it.”
I laughed and leaned over her to try and get a look at her face. “Ruby Paige, are you jealous?”
She sighed as she rolled to her back with narrowing eyes. “Don’t call me that and maybe I was—a little.”
“You don’t have to be. We have never been we, remember?”
“I know but that doesn’t mean I can’t care about you.”
I sighed and sat up a little straighter. “Don’t do this, Red. It really isn’t the time to be thinking about it. That time passed long ago.”
“It was never really there actually. You’ve been married the whole time. That’s why it was so easy for you to keep your emotions out of it.”
“Don’t say it like that. You know I’ve always cared about you despite what my job was. I’ve told you that.”
“I’m just not sure if I can get used to this. I can’t be around her.”
“Then don’t be.”
“Oh, like I planned to run into her? She probably doesn’t want me around either.”
I laughed. “Yeah, you’re right about that but we can get through it.”
“No, Trever.” She got up completely on the other side of the bed. “We can’t; I can’t. She’s never going to be okay with this and I’m—especially not.” She picked up a bag and started putting things laying around the room in it.
“Red, what are you doing?” I was nervous about her true intentions and walked around the bed to her.
“I have to leave.”
“But I thought you weren’t leaving for days.”
“I can’t stay here. I’m leaving today with Darius and Dirk and I won’t be back. The others will just follow on schedule.”
“Won’t be back? Red, you can’t be serious. I’ve been gone for practically two years. I finally get to see you and you’re going away?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t see you with her. It’s time to go our separate ways. Our paths don’t meet again.”
“That’s not fair.” I took a step forward and got serious because of her saddened tone. “You can’t just walk away.”
“I have no other choice.”
“Then I couldn’t visit?”
“Of course you could but we both know that you won’t. You don’t want to be away from her anymore and that’s okay. You don’t have to be. You’ve known what you wanted all along.”
“If you’re really never going to come here then I will visit you. I never wanted this to end everything between us.”
She just laughed and securely closed up the bag. “You go all the way there just for me and it’s only going to make your life harder. Bianca won’t like it and Darius will kill you for just wanting to be around me.”
I sighed and sat myself back on the bed right behind me. “It’ll be worth it.”
“You don’t know when to let things go, do you?”
“Not when it comes to you.”
“Don’t you think I’ve been hurt enough times in this life already? Why do you have to just add more?”
“Red, that’s not what I’m doing. Why is it wrong to still want you in my life? I thought we were still friends.”
“Let’s go a few more years apart before I can accurately answer that.”
Chapter 21
Darius
I went upstairs to Ruby and stepped through the door, holding Dirk’s hand while he slowly walked in after. “Mama!”
This didn’t make me very happy. Trever was on the bed, looking at the floor and Ruby was standing just a few feet away.
I tried to ignore it and looked at Ruby with a smile. “He noticed.”
“I told you.” She bent down and waited until Dirk reached her before she picked him up. “Did you miss me?” Dirk just smiled and happily laid his head down on her like he was hugging her.
“Everything all right?” I asked, taking a quick glance back at Trever who was still looking down.
“Ah, yeah. Get your things. I want to get home.”
“Already?”
Ruby looked back at Trever too but this time his eyes lifted and met hers. “Yeah. This place just brings back horrible memories f
rom my life. It was too soon to come back.”
I paused for a minute and looked between them with slowly narrowing eyes. “Okay. Then we’ll leave. I have no problem with that.”
“I know.” Ruby stepped closer and lifted herself up on her tiptoes quickly so she could kiss me. “I’ll tell the others and meet you outside.”
“Sure.”
She left the room with Dirk still in her arms and I was standing alone with Trever.
He laughed while he rose to his feet. “Just let it go. You don’t want to know.”
He started walking towards the door and I abruptly put up my hand to his shoulder and stopped him. “What the fuck are you doing in here?”
“We talked.”
“Don’t you have your own wife?” Trever just laughed and was about to step passed me again but I took a step back and made sure he couldn’t. “Don’t think I can’t see what you’re doing. I’ve always known you’ve had a real problem with it but I’m warning you right now; stay away from my wife. Yours might have a problem with it if you’re found unconscious where you stand.”
“I’d love to see you even try.”
I took a step closer, getting defensive with my eyes slightly down to his. “You don’t want to test me. No one’s protecting you anymore. Watch yourself.”
I stepped passed him so I could get my things because meeting with Ruby to leave was more important but Trever didn’t leave. “I will if you make sure you take care of her.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. If you haven’t been paying attention, she’s not a job to me. We have a child together. Something you wouldn’t know anything about even with your intellect.”
He laughed a little smugly. “You’re right. How could I deserve what you have?”
I looked up but he was gone, the door slightly closing on its own but left open for me to look in the empty hall. It was quiet and I couldn’t even hear the sound of Trever’s footsteps fading in the distance. An odd moment it was indeed but I didn’t think too much of it. I turned back around and grabbed the bag I was packing along with my sword and headed out the door.
My footsteps carried louder down the hall and Bianca opened a door just as I was about to pass and she stopped suddenly before stepping out with a light gasp. I stopped in my tracts and looked over. Fear was on her face and only at first, I didn’t know why.
Trever came out of nowhere between us and set his look on me while Bianca held tightly around one of his arms with her hand and held her other at his chest. “Is there a problem?”
I still saw the look on Bianca’s face and knew she was worried for Trever being around me. I just smiled to it and started walking away. “No.”
It was amusing to me. She clearly knew something that he didn’t believe. I could take him in a fight and one day—I would.
Chapter 22
Trever
I watched him defensively until he rounded the corner and looked at Bianca. “You all right?”
“Yeah. You?”
“Of course. He wouldn’t have hurt me.”
“But he would have. Don’t ever put it passed him. He just scares me.”
I laughed and pulled her close to me as we walked into our room and closed the door. “He doesn’t need to scare you. He doesn’t scare me.”
“He should.”
“Don’t worry about it, darling. They won’t be around here much.”
“They’re leaving? Is that why he was carrying his things?”
“Yes. You won’t see them around here for a long time.”
Bianca backed away with a quiet laugh behind her closed lips. “She’s a smart girl for making that choice.”
“It seems it’s going to be that way for a few years. I’ll have to go there if I want to visit.”
Bianca gasped. “Trever no. You can’t go there alone. Darius won’t like that no matter what you’re there for. You need to stop pushing his limits. I don’t even want to think about what would happen.”
“It’s all right, Bee. It’ll be awhile before that. The rest of them aren’t leaving for a few days like planned. Don’t worry about it now.”
She sighed and found herself in my arms again with her head against my chest. “I love you even if you are stubbornly set in your ways.”
“I know. I love you too but there’s still one more thing I want to do.” I looked over to the desk where a long bundle of cloth stood leaned up against the wall.
Bianca pulled away and saw what I was looking at. “Trever, no. You’re going to give them that?”
“It’s better suited for someone with the strength to use it and that’s not anyone around here.”
“Dirk but will Darius even let you give him it?”
“He won’t have to.” I walked over to the bundle of cloth and picked it up. “Once Red sees it, she’ll insist. It is Senian made. The only problem Darius will have is that it’s from me.”
“I know. That’s the part that worries me.”
I laughed and quickly kissed her. “You need to stop that. It’ll be fine. I’ll be right back. I want to catch them before they leave and then I want you to join me downstairs while I visit with Jay and Bryce.”
“Oh, Trever, I—”
“Relax. Red will be gone. The others will warm up to you faster than you think.”
“And Adele?”
“She won’t be a problem. Promise.”
“Okay. Just hurry.”
“I will.” I kissed her again and went outside to the stables where I hoped Red and Darius were still readying their horses. I stepped in and Dirk almost ran right into me if I hadn’t stopped in time. “Whoa! Someone’s excited!”
“What do you want?” Darius asked harshly.
“Relax. I come with a parting gift.”
“We don’t want anything you have.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I think someone might.” I approached the stall Red was in and leaned against the outside of it. “What do you say, Red? Will you take it?”
“That depends on what it is.”
“Well, it’s not for you per say. It’d be more of a future token for Dirk.”
Darius’s eyes narrowed and he stepped out of his stall towards me. “What gives you the nerve to give my son anything?”
“I couldn’t think of anyone better that it would fit. He’ll surely be strong enough.”
Red’s eyes got wide with a light gasp and I knew she knew. “Bolek?”
I held up the bundle of cloth, slowly wrapping it. The great ax made of gold and genuine ruby that was once a gift to Ryon was revealed and sparkled from the light around us.
“I don’t believe it. You’re willing to give this up?”
“It was never mine and don’t worry. He wants you to have it. For your son. Take it. Please. Like some things, it doesn’t belong here anymore.” I held it out but Red was still in shock while she looked over at Darius.
“Go ahead.” He sighed. “I know you want to.”
She slowly took it from my hands and I smiled. “It has been wanting to go home. It belongs back in Senian hands.”
“Of course, giving it to Dirk will have to be further discussed.” Darius went on.
“Whatever you want. I just want you to take it. It has no more uses here.”
“We will.” Red said.
“I imagine he’ll grow into it if giving it to him when the time comes is what you decide. Ryon will be glad to officially give it to him as well so Bolek will answer to his call.”
“This is—I don’t know what to say but thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Enjoy your quiet Jay-free ride home.”
She laughed softly. “You bet we will.”
I was just happy to see her happy and didn’t want to over stay my welcome. I left after getting to see her truly smile and for now, that was enough for me.
I walked back inside and headed right for the lounge but Bianca was standing outside like she had been waiting for me. “Couldn’t go in
on your own?”
“I don’t even want to go in with you. What do you think?”
I kissed her head and held out my arm. “You’ll be fine.”
She took it and took a long breath. “If you say so.”
We walked in and it immediately became quiet.
“Well, hi!” I said. “May we join you?”
“Don’t hi us!” Adele snatched.
“What’d I do?”
“How is that even a question? You drove Ruby away with your secrets.”
“That was her choice and she has every right to make it.”
“It’s only making things harder on us. Now she won’t come back here.”
Bianca smiled, trying to hold in a laugh.
“I’m glad you find that funny.” Adele said, narrowing her eyes.
“I merely strike amusement to the situation, Adele. Trever is right. It was all her choice. She didn’t have to over react because she’ll no longer get her way.”
“Bee—”
“No. They should know. She’s only acting out because she won’t have Trever to fall back on anymore. She lost that power and it only makes her jealous. That’s why she can’t stand to be here anymore. She just needs time away so give her that. You can probably imagine that Darius finds this to be a good thing as I do. They need to forget about each other.”
“You really want him to forget?” Adele asked.
“What do you think?”
“All right. Trever, I have a job for you.”
“What?”
“Go pack up everything that reminds you of Ruby and we’ll take it back with us.”
“That’s not going to make me forget her.”
“But it will help.”
“I actually love that plan.” Bianca smiled. “Well done, Adele.”
She smiled back, being polite to her for the first time. “Thank you. One of my many qualities.”
“That could take more time than you have.” I replied.
“Well, then you better get started. We’ll wait however long it takes.”
I continued to stand there with my sigh, not enjoying even thinking about it.
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