Chapter 19: Acts of Salvation: Chapter 18

Dick-whipped. That’s all I have to say.

My ass knew better than to lay with that man again. But did I listen? Nope. Like a calf to its slaughter, I went ready and willing.

I have nobody to blame but myself.

It’s the morning after the end of the world as I know it, leaving me hungover as fuck though I didn’t have a drop to drink.

Strolling into the kitchen, memories of what happened here last night come flashing back full force, making my whole body flush with arousal.

That was so damn hot. I’ve never reacted to a man the way I do with Ren, and that’s terrifying. The amount of power he holds over me with just one touch is overwhelming.

Looking at the clock as I pour myself some coffee, I see that it’s almost noon. Where’s Ren? He left before the sun was fully up and still hasn’t returned.

Checking my phone, I don’t see any messages and the little devil on my shoulder begins to torment me. What if he wasn’t happy with what happened last night? What if it wasn’t enough and he’s now with Becca?

Mentally snapping myself out of it, I tell myself I’m overreacting. Just as I’m about to dial Ren’s number the door flings open and the look on his face is one of determination.

Ren heads straight for me, lifting me up and wrapping me around him like a blanket of limbs. “We’ve caught Bella’s attacker.” He breathes into my neck, running his nose along the sensitive skin and causing goose bumps to rise. “Well, more like attackers. Plural.”

“Whaaat? Really?” I pull away just enough to see his face.

“Yes. Apparently, the attackers were in cahoots trying to clear millions from William’s bank account, they just needed access to it.” Ren trails a hand down my back, making me arch into him. “Since Bella was proving to be an obstacle, they tried scaring her.”

There’s more to the story, I can tell from his guarded expression, but I’m not wanting to ruin the moment by pushing him.

“Why don’t you get ready. There’s this food truck park I’ve been wanting to go to and I think you’ll like it.” Ren slides me off of him and the thought of food has my stomach grumbling.

“Sounds good, boss.” I sashay back to the room with a wink.

“Boss, I like the sound of that.” Ren’s laughter trails off as I close the bathroom door, and I can’t help but think that I could definitely get used to this.

Maybe domestic life isn’t all that bad after all.

“What’s that look for?” Ren asks as we enter the food truck park.

As the name dictates, it’s a park with full-service food trucks lining the perimeter and a bunch of picnic tables and open space in the middle. There’s a horseshoe toss to one side as well as some cornhole, and frisbee golf.

Not sure how smart it is to hand someone a frisbee where booze is being served.

“Thinking of Bella,” I respond to Ren’s question as my eye lands on a prosecco food truck. It looks like all they serve is bubbly. Interesting. “I sent her a message inviting her to come with us but she hasn’t responded. Maybe I should stop by her place and check in on her.” Looking at Ren I see something’s up. “It’s a big day, you know. I’d think she’d want to celebrate knowing her attacker is no longer a threat.”

“Yea, I don’t think that’s going to be happening anytime soon. The cat’s out of the bag about her and William, and let’s just say my brother didn’t take it too well.”

“Oh my god! I should be with her right now! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!” My heart is racing a mile a minute. Here I am about to throw down some prosecco when my bestie is probably in tears.

“I didn’t tell you because William has it handled.” He grits his teeth, no doubt still trying to process that his little niece is with his best friend. “She’s moving in with him and I thought it best to give them space.”

He spits out that last word as if it were pure vile.

“Don’t make that face when you yourself have made me move in with you.” I playfully shove at him. “That would be a little hypocritical, don’t you think?”

Ren gives me a sheepish smile, letting me know I’m tearing down some of that disapproval. A girl has to help out wherever she can, even if it’s only from the sidelines.

Feeling a little bit better about not being with Bella, I compromise with shooting her another text.

CASSIE: Hey girl, Ren told me about your old man… aaaand moving in with William! Just wanted to let you know that I’m here if you need anything. Love you, always and forever xoxo

She must have been on her phone because almost instantly I get a notification for an incoming text.

BELLA: Yesssss. Girl, so much has happened in the last twenty-four hours and we need a catch-up session, BAD. Especially, since it seems you need to fill me in on how my uncle has managed to give you the lowdown on something that happened not even ten hours ago. ? ?

Are you with him right now??? ?

My eyes go wide and I can feel the color drain from my face.

Ren’s voice cuts through my mental haze, “Baby, what’s wrong? You look like you found out Prada went out of business.” He smirks, rubbing his hands up and down my arms as if trying to revive me.

“Ha ha. Bella just asked me if I was with you right now and I froze.” Just thinking of it again has my heart about to break out of my chest.

“Just tell her the truth. That you’ve moved in with me and you’ll be staying there permanently.” His tone is so matter-of-fact that he almost makes me believe things are as solid as he makes them out to be.

We weren’t even on speaking terms a little over forty-eight hours ago and now it appears we are in a full-blown relationship, residing under the same roof, though be it temporary—much to Ren’s dismay.

Talk about zero to sixty.

I’m about to answer with a rational breakdown of our courtship when a familiar face appears by Ren’s side.

“Becca. What a surprise.” I offer her a tepid smile, the best I can muster given our history.

Ren purses his lips to the side, trying to contain his laughter. Whatever. He can laugh all he wants, he just better not try and defend her catty ass.

“Hi, Becca. Did you come for the bahn mi truck?” Ren tries to direct the conversation to a much safer topic, like food—The man clearly doesn’t know when a woman’s claws have come out, they’re out to play.

“Cassie, is it? I forgot to ask if you liked the flowers I ordered for you. I think they were pink peonies.” As predicted, she ignores Ren’s remark and attempts to go straight for the jugular. “I do all of Ren’s floral requests.”

The woman stands there with a self-satisfied smirk, thinking she’s destroyed me with her implication. Well she’s about to find out I’m not so easily messed with.

“Can’t say that I remember what they were, to be honest. I was too busy reveling in having my man’s fingers shoved deep in my pussy, making me come in ways that are positively sinful.” I place a possessive hand on Ren’s chest, trailing a finger over his heart. “It was almost as good as our stint in the elevator last night, wasn’t it, baby?”

Ren, who is no longer trying to bite back his laughter, is outright chuckling. “Every time with you is the best time, baby.” He removes his gaze from mine, and looking over to Becca, issues a disapproving glare. “If you’ll excuse us, I’d like to take my girl over to my favorite truck.”

“Well that wasn’t tense at all.” I look up at Ren as we walk toward the far side of the park. “That was sarcasm, in case you hadn’t gathered.”

“Oh, I gathered alright.” Ren shakes his head as he brings a hand to the small of my back, causing a swarm of butterflies to take up residence in my stomach. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her. She’s never been like that before.”

“I think I’ve got an idea. Am I right in assuming you’ve never settled down with any of your past flings?”

“No… I haven’t. I see what you’re hinting at but I really don’t think my relationship with Becca is like that. We’ve known each other for ages, and the one time we tried hooking up ended in a disaster.”

“Wait.” His words halt me in my tracks. “You’ve actually hooked up with that… that… that rude bitch?”

“Once, if you could call it that. I—”

I don’t even let him finish the sentence, cutting him off with the mother of all tirades, “Spare me the details. Excuse me if I’m not keen on hearing about your endeavors with a woman who first of all, talked behind my back when she thought I didn’t understand Spanish—and by the way, we still need to talk about how you actually know Spanish—and second of all, tried to downplay our relationship by insinuating she orders flowers for you on the regular, keeping your menagerie of women well stocked with florals.”

Ren pulls me into his arms, squeezing me so hard I can barely breathe. “I love it when you’re riled up like this. I’m tempted to take you home and skip the food.”

“Did you hear a word I said?” I breathe into his chest, unable to break free from his hold and unsure if I really want to.

“Yes. And to answer your question, Spanish is extremely similar to Italian so I chose it as my elective in high school. I must say, it came in very handy over at your mom’s yesterday.” Ren finally pulls back enough for me to see his wicked smile.

I smack at his chest. “You brat. I had a feeling you knew what we were saying with how you were smiling. I guess it’s no surprise my mom adores you.”

Ren slides his hands down my back, cupping my ass and squeezing. “Not half as much as I adore you.”

“Oh, yeah? And how much would that be?”

“Let’s just say you should hold on to that old address book of hers. You might need it sooner than you think.”

And with those words, Ren walks away, leaving me with my mouth wide open and shocked as hell.