Penance (Devout Trilogy #3) - Lesli Richardson Page 0,34

time to stop by the rental truck place and pick up a load of boxes.

There isn’t a lot I need from my condo right now—my clothes and books, pictures, and the few pieces of furniture I kept before selling Dad’s house. Most of the furniture, I don’t mind leaving it behind or selling it with the condo. Even most of my kitchen stuff can be left behind.

Once Daniel lets me know he’s about to board his flight, I keep close track of the time and make sure to pack as many clothes as I can in two large suitcases, and my laptop and other devices in my carryon. I’ll wait to load everything in the car just before we make the return trip to the airport later this evening.

On my way out, I stop at the condo building’s office and get a list of real estate agents they recommend. They’ll be my first calls tomorrow morning, to start that process.

All the way to the airport, I keep pinching myself.

Literally.

The past three days have once again shifted my life. This time, it looks like that shift is finally heading in the right direction.

Thank You, God. Took me long enough.

I park and walk inside the terminal to await Daniel’s arrival in a few minutes. Sitting there, where I can see him emerge, I try to think about what life will soon be like for me.

It still doesn’t feel…real.

Can it really be this easy?

Except if I look at my life as a whole, nothing about it’s ever been easy.

Mom, I wish you were here. I hope you’re looking down and not hating me for my choices.

It takes everything I have not to jump up and run over to Daniel when I finally spot him.

Except the smile on his face when he lays eyes on me tells me everything.

I’m about to finally go home.

My real home. My true home.

The one I left so many years ago and longed to return to.

Not a place, but a person—and now two special people.

I reach for his laptop bag and he hands it over with a smirk. “Someone looks eager.”

“I am, Sir.”

“How much to do at your place still?”

I start telling him that as we walk to where I parked. When we reach the car, he shoves me back against it and kisses me. “Thank you for coming in to meet me, baby.” I love when he and Liam call me that. “That was a nice surprise.”

“You’re welcome, Sir.”

He smiles up at me. “Any second thoughts?”

I shake my head. “If you still want me, I want to be with you.”

He smiles. “Good, because I want you to be with us.”

* * * *

I leave my car in long-term parking until next week. As our flight takes off for DC, I realize I’m finally getting to live my life, for me.

On my terms.

Which, of course, the irony is that I’m ceding control of my life to Daniel and Liam.

We opt not to eat dinner before returning home, because Daniel says there’s plenty of food there. “Plus, I’m exhausted. I want a chance to collapse and relax before the big guy gets home.”

Except when we arrive at the house, and Daniel helps me wrestle my suitcases out of the cab and up the front walk, we realize that’s not going to happen.

Liam opens the door and walks out, a huge smile on his face. He’s in sweats and a T-shirt, and he looks every bit as handsome as he did the day I first laid eyes on him in college.

“What are you doing home?” Daniel asks, sounding honestly shocked over his presence.

“I noped out of my meetings. I know, poor adulting on my part. I said I wasn’t feeling well and no one wanted to argue with me when I fake-coughed.” He grins. “Sorry, not sorry.”

He helps us with the luggage, and when the front door closes behind me, he grabs me and presses me against it to kiss me. “Hello, baby.”

“Hello, Master.”

“Ahem.”

Liam turns to where Daniel’s smirking, grabs him, and dips him as he kisses him before standing him upright again. “You’re a brilliant man, and I’m the luckiest asshole on the face of the planet.”

Then I realize I’m smelling…something. “Did you cook?” I ask.

“Guilty. Just spaghetti, but I thought you both would be hungry.”

Daniel’s expression softens as he looks up at Liam. “Thank you, Master.”

Liam blinks away tears and kisses him again. “I swear on my very life that I will never break your trust again. Ever.”

Daniel snorts