Page 160 of Depraved

“You mean, how glad you are to see that I’m still able to dance.”

“That is not⁠—”

“Shut up, Meryl,” my father snapped. “Just shut the hell up before you make it worse.”

Abruptly, she let go of my arms and glared at my father. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

For the first time in my life, I saw my father square his shoulders while confronting my mother, shaking his head and looking her in the eye. “You’ve done enough damage, don’t you think, Meryl?”

“Timothy,” she objected, her eyes wide and confused, “I’m merely saying⁠—”

“We all know what you were merely saying, Meryl. Do us all a favor and shut up.”

I stepped back and moved in next to Granite. My mom’s eyes grew even wider when she saw the way he draped an arm around my shoulder, making it clear he had staked his claim.

Granite glanced down, placing a finger below my chin, lifting my face toward him. “This is the part where you choose.”

“What do you mean?”

His thumb circled the side of my mouth, a tender touch of affection. “This is where you choose. Your old life, or me.”

I shook my head lightly. “You said you’re never letting me go.”

“And if you choose to stay with me now, that’s exactly what will happen. I’ll never let you go. You’ll be a part of the Kings. You’ll be mine. But if you choose to go back home now, I won’t ever interfere with your life again.” His thumb touched my bottom lip. “This is your chance to choose.”

Honestly, if I had to take a minute, or a day, or a week, in the end my heart would always overrule my head. I could try to fight it, try to deny it. But in the end, my heart would choose him, no matter how dark, how messed up and wicked it all was. It was something I would never be able to change because what we had was something that started years ago. It started the moment our eyes met through my bedroom window the very first time.

I cupped his cheek, his beard hard and rough against my palm. “Like you said, I never should have watched you through my window. But I did…and it’s something I’ll never regret.” Turning to face my parents, I tucked myself deeper into Granite’s side. “I’m not going home with you. I’m staying here.”

“Alyxandria—”

“I’m staying with him, Mom.”

“You are throwing your entire future away, your ballet⁠—”

“Your future, Mother. I’m throwing away your future. Not mine.”

My mom glowered at Granite from beneath those thick, mascara-clumped eyelashes. “You filthy beast. What did you do to my daughter?”

“Meryl! For God’s sake. For once in your miserable life, stop ruining your daughter’s life and let her make her own goddamn decisions.” My dad’s outburst silenced my mom immediately, her mouth open and expression stunned.

“Commissioner Green,” a uniform called from behind. “The media is here. You want to handle it?”

“Yes.” He straightened the lapels of his jacket, brushing his palm over his head to make sure his hair was as neat as it could be. “I’ll handle the media,” he said to Granite. “I’ll make sure the media knows the American Street Kings saved my daughter.” He held out his hand, a gesture of good faith from him to the man I loved.

Granite shook his hand, and my father smiled my way. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Timothy?” my mom objected, but he grabbed her wrist and dragged her with him, leaving Granite and me behind.

For the first time in my life, I was free. It was my life, and no longer my mother’s. It was liberating and new. It was going to take some getting used to.

I placed my hand on Granite’s chest, craning my neck to look up at him with a scowl. “Were you really going to let me go if I said I wanted to go home?”

His arms draped around my waist, and he lifted my feet off the ground. “Not a chance. Manic is waiting just up the road to haul your ass right back here if you decided to leave. I told you…I’m never letting you go.”

EPILOGUE

GRANITE