Page 131 of Dark Surrender

“Hi,” I croak, not realizing I’m crying too as I stare into those familiar gunmetal eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he forces out.

There’s nothing to be sorry for.

He’s not dead.

He’s here.

Dark. Is. Here.

With me.

Here.

At my house.

Not knowing the how or the why, I wrap my arms around him and bury my face in his chest. It smells of him, but not.

He sways into me, like standing is taking all his energy, and I let him.

We don’t speak as I help him into the house and onto the couch, where he drops onto the ugly cushions with a sigh.

“Do you need anything?” I ask, sitting right next to him, staring at him, afraid that if I look away, he’ll disappear, and this will have been the best worst dream I’ve ever had.

Only his warm hand rests on my thigh, and out pops a watery smile as he pulls something off his pinky and hands it to me.

“You. I just need you,” he croaks. “Marry me.”

And I… sob.

The End

For Now…

Ha. Ha. Just kidding.

PART II

PROLOGUE

Sunshine

The weight of my son on my back suffocates me against the floor as the world erupts into a ball of wood and flame. Despite the ringing in my ears, I feel his groan of pain vibrate through my spine. A healthy dose of adrenaline floods my system, slamming my heart against my ribcage as smoke and dust fill the air, wrecking our lungs. He coughs. I cough. Agony radiates through my side. Goddammit.

I’m hurt, and this stubborn asshole son of mine had to go and play hero even though he already has a gunshot wound.

What a shit show. We shouldn’t even be here in this fucking resort. Kali and those kids had better be okay, or I… I don’t even know what.

“Dark?” I rasp as the dust settles and the explosions stop.

He moans against my shoulder but doesn’t move.

“Dark?” Getting my arms under me, I push off the floor and dump him onto his side. He rolls on his back, and everything stops. There’s a hole in my son’s cheek and bits of wood embedded everywhere. Blood coats him… so much fucking blood. Those gray eyes blink and blink like he’s not sure what the hell is going on, and that makes two of us.

“Dark?” I loom over him so he can see I’m here. That I’ve got him.

Bright red blood coats his lips, and when he tries to breathe, he chokes on it.