Hexed (Never After, #6)

by Emily McIntire

I’ve never been in a relationship before, and to be honest, I’m not entirely sure that’s what we are now, but I like how he cares for me in a way nobody else ever has.

“The same business I have with your father.” Enzo physically stumbles back but recovers quickly. Shock filters through my system, and I step forward, unable to bite my tongue. “Are you telling me Trent and Carlos Marino are working together?” Frankie turns his focus on me, recognition flaring in their depths. “You’re Venesa.”

“Your dad is the one who tried to kill you, and he used Trent Kingston to do it.”

It’s comfortable, and for the first time in forever, it feels like I have a place. A family. Like I’m home. It doesn’t have to do with blood—not really—and maybe that’s where I’ve always gotten it wrong. I’ve been searching for things in the wrong places.

Coming home to Venesa is an experience. She may not realize it yet, judging by how surprised she was when I had her refurbish the entire apartment, but she’s it for me. And I don’t care what anyone else has to say about it.

I wonder if she realizes she holds all the power here, that I would crawl on my knees to be wherever she is.

“Ah,” he says. “The woman who ruined my son’s marriage.” She forces a grin, those dimples popping out, and releases my hand to walk forward and shake his. “It’s a pleasure, Mr. Marino. I’ve heard a lot about you.” If I wasn’t sure before this moment that she was my queen, then this would confirm it.

That pressure’s back, churning and building, and then something wet escapes the corner of my left eye, trailing over my lashes, down my cheek, and dripping off my chin. I watch as it forms a small dot on the fabric of my shirt.

And then another. And another. I press my fingers to my flushed skin, my heart pounding faster and faster until it ruptures, like a dam breaking, water rushing over a dry landscape and engulfing everything in its wrath. “See ya later, Lover Boy.” I hiccup softly. And for the first time since I was a child, I’m crying.

Because life’s too short to not hold the ones you love close. So I’m going to find her, and then I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving her out loud, just like she deserves.

Fate always works out. You of all people should know that. What is it you say? The universe always provides?” “I also say karma’s a bitch.”

Uncle T stole the Kingston empire out from under my momma. That’s why he killed her. And that’s why I’m going to kill him.