Grave (Dark Kingdom, #3) — Chapter no 38

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

GRAVE

I STAND NEXT to the bed once again. My face is swollen and still pounds. I need a fucking hit, but I became a different man last night. I don’t want to bury what I feel.

Leaning down, I kiss her forehead. She doesn’t even stir. “I love you, April.” Then I turn and grab the bag that I packed when I went home last night.

I walk through my brother’s house again and out the front door. I walk over to my car and open the driver’s side door.

“Running away?”

I look up to see Titan outside on his front porch. A coffee mug in one hand and his cell in the other. “You ever sleep?”

“Nope.” He stands, and his eyes drop to my bag, but he doesn’t say anything.

I run a hand through my hair. And my eyes meet his. I’m going to face this head-on. Taking in a deep breath, I say, “I need a favor.”

He gets up from his porch and starts to walk over to his three-car garage.

“Let’s go.”

I make my way to him and get into his car. We pull out of his driveway and through the gate. I reach up and remove my eyebrow piercing, lip piercing, and then my watch. I place them all in his center console.

He remains silent as he gets on the interstate. I look out over Las Vegas as the sun starts to rise, knowing that today is a new day and a fresh start.

That second chance Titan was talking about to make things right. To be who she needs.

He pulls into the roundabout and comes to a stop. We sit in silence as I look over the building before us. It’s white stucco with big bushes

surrounding the building. It looks like a retreat. Somewhere I’d never go.

But April has brought me here. She’s going to save my life.

“You know …” Titan breaks the silence, and I look over at him. “We may not be blood, but I’ve always considered you a brother.”

I swallow through the tightness in my throat at his words.

He reaches across the center console and pulls me in for a tight hug. I slap his back, trying to hold back my emotion. I hate how much I feel. I’ve always tried to smother it, but not anymore. “Take care of her for me?” I

ask him when he pulls away.

He nods. “Of course.”

I pull my cell out of my back pocket and hand it over to him.

“Want me to walk you in?” he asks, looking over at the double doors.

I chuckle at that. “No. I think I can manage.”

He looks over at me without an ounce of humor in his dark blue eyes.

“I’m here for you, Grave. Whatever you need. Whenever you need it.”

I nod, unable to voice my gratitude, again that knot back in my throat.

Then I turn and exit his car, knowing I’m about to give up any freedom that I have.

APRIL

I OPEN MY heavy eyes and roll over. My head pounds, and my eyes are puffy.

I’m pretty sure I cried in my sleep.

I’m pregnant. That’s why I’ve been sick to my stomach. I just thought it was because of everything that has been going on, but then I realized I was late, so I took a test.

I don’t know how it happened. I’ve been on birth control the entire time.

I never missed a pill. But we never used a condom.

I place my hand over my face and take a deep breath. I’m going to do this on my own. All by myself. If I had a choice, I’d have him right beside me, but he’s not ready. Not for me or a baby.

Sitting up, I see a folded piece of paper on the bed. I open it up, and my

hands begin to shake.

My beautiful April, I’m sorry I had to go. I’m going to get the help I need. I’m sorry I wasn’t big enough to do it on my own. It took you entering my life to show me that I needed it. I’ve failed you. And it kills me to know that I hurt you. I don’t

expect you to wait on me, but just know that you’re all I want. I love you and our baby more than anything in this world. I’m going to be a man and prove it to you.

The words become blurry, and I sniff. I hear the door open, but I don’t look up. I try to read the letter again to understand what he’s saying. But when I feel a hand on my shoulder, I lose it. I begin to cry.

“It’s okay.” I hear Emilee’s voice. “You have us. We’re here for you.”

“Yeah, we’re not going anywhere,” Jasmine adds before I feel her rub my back.

“He left,” I manage to get out between sobs.

“He’ll be back. For you and the baby,” Haven speaks.

He went to rehab. He did what he needed to do for us. And I couldn’t be prouder of him.