The Victorian (Lavender Shores Book 9) by Rosalind Abel

Author:Rosalind Abel [Abel, Rosalind]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Wings of Ink Publications, LLC
Published: 2018-12-16T16:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Charley

“If I wasn’t so drugged up, I’d hate both of you.” I forced a glare back and forth between Mabel and Sapphire on either side of my bed, but couldn’t tell if the glare succeeded. “I don’t appreciate the guilt trip.”

Sapphire had the decency to look abashed and pointed to the wall opposite the bed, where the rolling table was laden with three large to-go containers and a massive arrangement of birds of paradise, lilies, and alstroemeria—their deep oranges and purples glowing like fire in the late afternoon sun. “We’ll bring you more of that every time we’re allowed to visit.”

That time I was certain I pulled off a substantial glare. “If you think meatloaf, fried chicken, sweet potato pie, and flowers are going to make up for the humiliation that you’re asking me to endure, you’re sadly mistaken.”

Proving just as skilled as I was, Mabel cast an impressive glare at her wife, then focused it on me. “I don’t care if it takes feeding you fried chicken, beating you over the head with it, or shoving the flowers up your ass, if you love us, you’ll do this.”

I groaned. Lord, didn’t that just trigger a whole host of memories. “The ‘if you love me’ routine? Really?”

Mabel gripped my jaw with a gentle firmness and angled my face toward hers, forcing my eyes to meet hers. “I’m aware you’ve heard that from other people in your life. People who should’ve meant it. But you know I do.” Her dark gaze flicked to Sapphire, then back. “That we do. And no matter what you choose next, you know that will always be true. But if you don’t do this, love you or not, and we end up in this same place… or somewhere worse, I will never forgive you.”

Any other time, I would’ve felt rage, or maybe tears. But probably rage. I could barely manage anything. This was what I remembered. Sure, the medication took the anger away, but it took everything else as well, leaving only a fuzzy, empty shell. “I shouldn’t have had Seth call you. I should’ve known better.”

“It was the smartest damn thing you’ve ever done.” Her grip tightened on my jaw. “Now, will you do it? For Sapphire and me, will you do it? I’m sure it’s better if you do it for yourself, but I couldn’t care less why you go, just as long as you do.”

“You’re really going to shove this down my throat the first time you’ve seen me in three days?”

She squeezed my jaw hard enough to hurt. “Boy…” Tears glistened in her eyes.

From the other side of me, Sapphire sniffled.

I already knew I’d say yes. The second she brought it up, I knew. What choice did I have? Maybe if I’d done a better job with that fucking broken wineglass, but apparently I was too pathetic to even pull that off. Might as well go for broke. “Fine.”

Her fingers twitched as if surprised. “Fine?”

“For you.” I growled at Mabel and ripped my jaw out of her fingers, then glared at Sapphire.

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