King Maker: Past Encounters (Part 3)

7 - Regret

T

"I didn't tell you what had happened because I didn't want you to worry. You were already stressed with your cases," he said looking troubled.
She turned back to The Preacher looking at him in thought.
"I'm sorry," she heard Gregory whisper behind her as she leaned against him.
"Kill him," she whispered looking exhausted.
"You are the only individuals who managed to break my hypnosis. You are remarkable indeed," he said in fascination despite his predicament.
They both said nothing looking at the man as Lady Siren did what she did best killing him in a clean manner as the man stopped breathing all together.
"Get me footage from the restaurant. I want to know who was slacking," T said standing up straight taking Greg's hand. She knew the dead man would never give up who had hired him.

————

Gregory walked into the living room with his wife as his children turned to look at him before Cindy rushed towards him hugging him without a word.
"I'm alright princess," he murmured watching his wife leaving the room.
His sons greeted him. Looking at them he didn't need to use words to thank them for holding him back from further harming his wife. Fiona walked into the room looking at him with a hint of disappointment.

"I told you never to keep things from her now see what happened," she chastised.
"I really messed up didn't I?" He said.
"A little. It wasn't entirely your fault but with her resources she could have gotten to the bottom of things faster and before what happened had occurred.
"I need to fix this," he said looking at his hands still seeing some bruising from when he had driven his fist into the wall.
Walking into the room he heard her in the shower. Walking out of the bathroom he walked up to her as she looked at him in question. Tugging the towel before she could stop him he saw the bruises on her body looking mortified. Slowly sinking down to his knees he looked at her torn before doing what all her subordinates did as he bowed his head.

"Gregory, what are you doing?" She asked in panic as he didn't move. "Come on Greg this is not funny get up," she chuckled as he didn't move before she saw his shoulders shaking as he sobbed. "Baby please," she pleaded as he looked at her tears running down his face.
Parting his lips to speak nothing came out as he shook his head no in defeat.
"Gregory Rhymes on your feet now!" She said holding out her hand towards him as he took it standing up. "I forgave you," she said cupping his face as he leaned towards her resting his forehead against hers. "I forgive you," she repeated as he nodded his head in acknowledgment.
"Now can I get dressed," she murmured making him chuckle through his tears as he stepped away from her watching her walk away to their closet as he picked up the towel taking it back to the bathroom.

Returning wearing his shirt and sweatpants she climbed into bed tiredly laying down to rest as he gulped down a glass of whiskey making her look at him in question. He went to their bathroom to prepare for bed. Heading back to their room he looked hesitant to get into bed as she waited for him. He stood by the bed looking at it contemplating as she asked him what was wrong. With a sigh he got into bed laying down on his back looking at his reflection.
Laying her head on his chest she listened to the steady beat of his heart feeling his lips against her forehead as his beard tickled her. He felt her finger tracing a pattern upon his skin waiting for him to say something.
"I dream about that night," he began. "Alcohol helps me forget because each time I close my eyes I see you. I see how I hurt you. I see blood covering my hands," he said as she traced a circle around his nipple absentmindedly. "I know you say you have forgiven me," he said as she stopped her actions pulling away slightly yet remaining in his arms. "But I cant seem to forgive myself over what I did," he said. "It keeps replaying in my mind," he said sadly as she moved straddling him placing her hands on his cheeks resting her forehead against his.
"I know you would never hurt me or any member of this family," she breathed out. "I know the man I married. You are not that man when you drink yourself to sleep," she said as she shook her head no.

"Can we sleep now?" She said leaning to kiss his lips as he easily responded to her giving her, her answer.
Laying on her back he rested his head against her as she ran her fingers through his hair until she felt his steady breathing as they held each other with her trying to figure out how to help her family and herself.
"I love you T," she heard him whisper a while later deep in his sleep as a lone tear travelled down her cheek.