Page 94 of Reckless Desires

I smile. “I never doubted you, Donal. You were just a test.”

“A test means you doubted me.”

I laugh. “Oh no. I wasn’t the one who doubted you.”

“Then who?!”

“Your wife.”

Chapter Sixty-Two

Lily

“Lily?” Stasia whispers as she cautiously nudges the bedroom door open. It was pitch black before the small crack from opening the door shoots a narrow beam of light into the room. I squint at the sudden brightness.

“Go away,” I reply, my voice flat and lifeless.

She peeks in a few times a day, drops food at the door, and despite her efforts, I always send her away. But this time she doesn’t listen. I hear the rustle of her jeans brushing against the fabric of the bed as she settles down at the edge. “You can’t stay like this forever,” Stasia says with concern.

“If you would just let me be with him, I’d be fine,” I reply with bitterness.

“Serafina is asking about you,” she says, completely ignoring what I just said.

“Oh, so now you’re using her to guilt-trip me? Real clutch, Stas.” My usual sassiness slips out.

She lets out a long sigh. “You can’t blame us, Lily. You can’t make someone want you.”

I know she’s right. I can acknowledge the truth, but hearing it only feels like she’s digging deeper into my wounded heart. Instead of launching into a lecture, she lies down behind me, wrapping her arms around me, pulling me close and kissing the side of my head just like she used to when I was a kid after scraping my knee or crying over a broken toy. Back then, she’d plant gentle kisses on my forehead until the world felt safe again. But I’m no longer a little child, and I feel silly behaving this way. Since Dad passed away, Stasia and I drifted apart, and it hasn’t been the same since.

“Once Mom is back from her trip, I’ll be out your way,” I say.

“You can stay as long as you want, Lily. It’s fine by me.” Stasia’s voice is steady and reassuring.

“Not sure Darius will approve.” His name leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Fuck that guy,” I scoff, and the laughter that bubbles out of me is unexpected.

Everyone knows Stasia and Darius wouldn’t just kill for one another. They’d give up their own lives to keep the other safe. I look down at her ring finger. Although she has a massive ring, she prefers showcasing what’s under it, her husband’s name tattooed around it. Darius has hers tattooed onto his. I find myself tracing over it.

She starts brushing my hair with her fingers, a soothing rhythm that calms my racing mind. “Your person is out there, Lily. I promise.”

“What if Killian’s my person?”

“If he was, you wouldn’t be here right now.” Her voice remains gentle and soft.

I roll onto my side, turning to face her even though the darkness still hides our faces. “It doesn’t bother you that I want to be with him?”

“I mean, I’d rather you not be with someone who murdered their wife, but then again, I don’t have a leg to stand on. Darius is no saint.” She lets out a giggle.

“So, if he shows up at the door on his hands and knees for me, you wouldn’t turn him away?” I press.

“No,” she says firmly. “He’s the first guy to command you to do something, and you actually listen.” Stasia laughs. “That’s the kind of man you need. Not the kind that will let you boss him around.”

“That’s not why I like him,” I protest weakly.

“So why do you? I mean, he’s a lot older than you. I think he might be older than Darius,” she points out.

I am too embarrassed to admit the truth, so I blurt out, “He’s really good in bed.”