Page 58 of Vengeful Devotion
“Trust me, my love.”
Francine smiles as she sits next to me on the bed. I sip the tea. I’m not sure I feel better, but the warmth feels good sliding down my throat.
“Thanks,” I say, licking my lips. “It’s good.”
“It’s the McBride family recipe with my own twist. It can fix anything.”
I swallow the urge to scoff. Francine is trying to help, and I shouldn’t be rude. It’s just hard to believe that a drink will fix any of this. I’m not sure it can be fixed.
“How are you feeling?”
I shrug, not quite able to find the energy to speak such heavy words.
Moving away from her assessing eyes, I look around the room. Noticing it’s just Francine and me here. Worry clutches my chest. Was it too much for him?Am I too much for him?
“Where’s Declan?”
“He went to speak to the exterminators.”
My body sags in relief. Francine notices, letting loose a cackle that only Glenda the witch could pull off.
“You and my son, huh? Who would’ve thought?”
Her eyes sparkle. I swear I can see the party going off in her head. A small smile breaks my gloom. Never mind that my heart is shattered like a broken mirror. The jagged pieces piercing my lungs with every breath. Her happiness is too cheerful to resist. Like the sun peeking through on a cloudy day.
I lean into her warmth, laying my head on her shoulder. She slips her arm around me, squeezing the top of my arm tight.
“Wait, did you say exterminators?”
“Declan called a dozen of them. He’s having them scour the entire property. I wouldn’t put it past him to install some sort of security system for them, either. The two of you will stay at a hotel until they’re done.”
Every cell in my body freezes, filling with something that feels a lot like love. Love for a certain man. A love I’m so tired of fighting. I take another sip of tea. My body relaxes, each of my muscles unwinding themselves from the ropes of trauma.
“He loves you; you know?”
Yes. I know.He’s been telling me since the moment he caved to his feelings. I’m starting to believe him.
“I think I love him too,” I blurt. Embarrassment heating my cheeks.
“Oh, I know you do, child.”
“It doesn’t bother you? I don’t want to overstep…”
Francine goes quiet, her face plastered by an expression I can’t read. Anxiety churns my stomach. If what I said made her mad, she’s really not going to like what I say next.
“But I really don’t think I can leave Declan. I’m sorry. I’m very grateful for everything you’ve given me. But if I have to choose, it’ll be him. Every single time.”
It’s so strange to give a voice to my deepest desire. To be his and for him to be mine. It’s like releasing a pressure valve. Relieving and startling. I gulp the last of my tea down, needing to stay busy and calm.
Francine pulls away and turns to face me. “You better.”
“E-excuse me?”
“Declan needs a good girl. A strong girl. Someone to rule over the family with him. He chose you. So again, I say, you better.”
I smile. A big, teary smile. Meeting her was a miracle. She didn’t have to help me. But I’m eternally grateful that she did. She’s given me so much. A job. A home. A friend. But the most important thing she’s given me will always be her son.
Speak of the devil. I hear his gruff voice outside the door. I keep my eyes locked on it. My restlessness grows as the doorknob turns. Time seems to slow as the door creeps open little by little.
