Page 170 of Taint My Soul

Prestigious ladies and gentlemen drift across the tiled floors of the space in designer gowns and tailored suits, their hands wrapped around champagne flutes, basking in the golden glow of the lights.

A live orchestra plays in the corner of the room. Servers move through the crowd with silver trays laden with rare vintages. To the people of Genesis City, the celebration marked the grand opening of Scarlet Rose Hotels, Prince Kane’s latest waterfront development. It was perfect, especially since it offered a lot of new opportunities for the workers in Genesis. But the truth remained that Prince Kane would move his family’s illegal underground fight club business to these islands where his dealings would remain unsuspected. I didn’t think his goal was to restart their family syndicate. Either way, the underworld welcomes him with open hands.

We built this together and still had a contract that binds us to our agreement. Even though Olivia and I had made some adjustments to the contract since I couldn’t keep the end of the bargain.

Virgil still hadn’t been found, and Cross was tired of looking. After staying months on the Red Island and even scouting the seas, he found nothing.

Aside from tonight’s celebration, the family business was going exceedingly well. Things had returned to what they used to be, especially since Vincent hadn’t seen the light of day for months.

I’d gladly let him rot in there after everything they did to the man I love.

Speaking of the man I love, I haven’t been able to get enough of him. He’s with me every minute of the day, and I fucking want more. I’m obsessed with him. And he loves that. We’ve been on several dates together, and I have the perfect surprise for him at the end of the night.

Two surprises actually.

And I can barely keep in my excitement because I want it to be the perfect moment.

As we look around the building, I’m completely blown away by the housing designs, and Elio and I both agree that this is putting our money to good use.

As the guests celebrate the successful completion of Scarlet Rose Hotels, Elio and I join a few of the couples on the dance floor. I hold Elio close as we both sway to the gentle melody of the orchestra. I keep my eyes on him, a smile on my lips as we move in synchronicity with each other.

This moment means a lot to me. I’m finally free to be myself without the fear of losing everything. And that heaviness that has sat in my chest all my life feels less heavy as every day passes with him close to me.

It’s beautiful being here with him.

“You look breathtaking tonight.”

“Thank you, darling.” He grins and leans closer, pressing a kiss on my lips.

I shut my eyes and inhale sharply, and all I see are the beautiful memories we have made over the past months. The softness. And it’s all with him. The man I want to spend the rest of my life with.

As the night continues, we leave the dance room and sit outside with other guests. Prince Kane makes a speech in front of the guests. When he mentions my name, everyone around me cheers and applauds as I wave at everyone. The celebration ends with so many congratulations from other powerful men in the city. I make sure I see Prince Kane before Elio and I leave the island for the city. Bernard’s already waiting when we arrive at the shores of the sea. He takes us to the car under the luminous glow of the rising moon and drives us back to Kingston City.

And with Elio tucked into my arm, all I can think of is him. How far we have come together. How much I have sacrificed for him, for us, and how I have never and will never wake up with regret any day.

I love us, and I always will.

ELIO

Four months of working side by side with the family. Four months of sleeping and waking up right next to the man my heart beats for. Even though there was a time he flew out of the country to meet up with associates. I fucking missed holding and being with him that week. And I literally glued myself to him when he came back to Kingston.

The truth is that it gets easier. Eventually, the good memories drown out the bad. I’ve started to believe that this is permanent. All the darkness that I have faced has ended. Even though I can’t erase those memories, I have learned to live with them and understand that my past doesn’t define me unless I give it power.

I have been speaking with Dr. Khadija about how I truly want to dedicate my life to something new. Something other than working with the family. Saint mostly doesn’t allow me anywhere near the bad stuff because he’s so protective of me. Even though we’ve been training a lot together, and I have only taken him down twice, which is good. I have sneaked out a few times with Cross to distribute products to the Runners of the syndicate.

So far, I think I want to go back to university and figure out a way to help other people who were once like me. People who have suffered several forms of abuse and need help. I also want to own a business that’ll help me donate to orphanages and make sure kids get good homes that’ll love and care for them.

I haven’t really told Saint about it, but I will when we get home.

All my dreams won’t happen in the blink of an eye, so I’m taking them one after the other. Dr. Khadija was really proud when I broke the news to her, and it makes me realize how resilient I have been even when I’ve gotten so close to losing it all.

I still found something to hold onto. Not everyone makes it, but those who have had similar experiences like me, or even worse, I want them to have a chance to see the world beyond survival.

Saint and I had also started working on renovating the King mansion into something different. Something that doesn’t remind him of the horrors of growing up as the son of a tyrant father.

It doesn’t take long, and we arrive at Kingston City. Bernard drives us to the penthouse where we have been staying for months. When the car comes to a halt in the parking lot, we both hop out and take the elevator to the top of the glass-and-steel building.

The light comes on as we step into the apartment together. I take off my shirt and toss it on the couch, turning to Saint, who’s behind me. “I’m so tired tonight, and…” The words trail off when I see the position he’s in.