“Don’t I get a say in this?”

“You already had your say, now it’s my turn.”

“But I like it here.”

In truth, I didn’t know why I was objecting. Medical school was what I wanted ever since Kennedy had her first episode. To some people, it may not have been a reason to decide the path I would take, but I never wanted to feel that helpless again, and not only could I help Kennedy but other sick children. I could make a greater difference than being a fashion model.

“We can return in a few years when you’re done, and Kennedy will have access to a beach anytime she wants.”

Kennedy was insatiable when it came to the beach. Anytime she saw water, she was asking to go to the beach. Bath time was a real treat.

“What are we going to do about the house?”

“It’s paid for and it’s ours. It’s not going anywhere.”

“Are you really willing to do this for me?”

“Ask me that again and I’ll spank your ass.”

“I just—”

“Sheldon.”

“Sheldon? Since when do you call me Sheldon?”

“Since you started asking to be bent over my knee.”

My body answered to his statement long before I could. “Instead of your knee, maybe you could tie me to the bed again.” I lifted my dress over my head, revealing my naked body underneath. “Remember how we conceived Ken?”

“Fuck yeah, I remember.” His voice had turned husky and his eyes darkened with the need to fuck. “Get the belt.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

KEENAN

I watched Shelly do as I ordered with a teasing smile on her lips and thought about how, for the rest of my life, I would get to see that smile every day.

I’d never felt so fucking needed than I did when I was with her and Ken.

All my life I had been searching for feeble attention when all this time I had been granted a love that was just for me.

And though our love may have been broken, it was still ours.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

IT’S NOT OVER…

“So who is the poor soul who suffered this unfortunate fate, and more importantly, who did he piss off?”

“Mitch Masters. Age forty-eight. No wife or kids to speak of. The family is an unclear subject. His brother, John Masters, admitted him to the facility, but was also murdered a few months ago and no leads have been found for that either.”

The detective circled the crime scene carefully, but when his gaze landed on all the blood on the wall, he looked away and studied the body instead. “So his eyes were open?”

“Yeah. The poor bastard saw his death coming.”

The bloody mess on the walls was hard to stomach, but this time, the detective didn’t look away immediately.

Written in crimson red, were the words, ‘For John.’

“I think we just found our lead.”