One Night Only

Chapter 1: Prologue

Six and a half weeks later...

After putting Bryant to bed, I spend the rest of the night cleaning up the house. I head to the bedroom with the intention of cleaning the bathroom before bed. We've been staying at Owen's actual house because I wanted some privacy and a sense of normalcy in my life. Michael has been hiding out in the basement for the past six weeks, only recently coming out when the news of his fathers death got back to me. As far as anyone is concerned, a deal went South, resulting in his death but I know it was premeditated. Michael has since moved back into his old room at the building with the underground casino.

I am checking my phone by the bed when a sound causes me to turn around. Owen is standing in the door, looking as good as ever. It has been six and a half weeks since I last saw him so I knew he'd be home soon but he didn't tell me exactly when. Happiness consumes me and I quickly close the space between us, wrapping my arms around him. He picks me up and I wrap my legs around him, my lips meeting his. What is meant to be a short passionate kiss quickly changes into a fervent makeout session. My hands pull at his hair and I move down to his neck as he moves, kicking the door shut. Pulling back, I look down at him and he smiles. "I've been cleaning the house, I'm dirty."

He turns to lock the door before heading to the bed. "That's okay because when I'm done with you, you'll be filthy."

A fire ignites within me and within moments we are lost in each other.

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Dressed in a modest black dress, I slip my arm through Owen's and follow him through the grass. The funeral service was decent and now we are at the cemetery where his father is being buried. I glance up at Bryant who is in Owen's arms wearing a suit. He hardly knew his grandfather and doesn't quite understand what's happening. But he was ecstatic when he woke up to the sound of his father's voice.

Owen and I spent the entire night reconnecting, leaving me exhausted for todays events. Owen on the other hand, looks radiant and well-rested. I have some questions for him bug there wasn't much time for talking. Hopefully we get some alone time tonight after Bryant is in bed.

When the service begins, the immediate family takes their seats beneath the canopy. The rest of the guests stand around as a man begins speaking. I slip my hand onto Owen's thigh and he leans over to kiss me. His mother is in the row in front of us and hasn't showed much emotion. There is a woman on each side of her, holding her hands. When they begin lowering the casket into the ground, she loses it, sobbing uncontrollably. My heart aches for her. She may be just as cold as he was but that was her husband. I can't imagine being in her shoes. If it was Owen being lowered into the ground, I'd be the emotionally unstable one right now.

Owen's hand slips beneath mine and he laces his fingers with mine, squeezing gently. This is it. He's finally free from his father's grip. As curious as I was about the details leading up to his death, I'm not sure I want to know anymore. He's gone so it shouldn't matter. All that matters is Owen's newfound freedom. Now Michael can take over. I find myself searching the crowd for him but don't see him.

When the service ends, people begin saying their goodbyes before leaving. I take Bryant so Owen can say goodbye to his mother. I stand beside a teee, watching them. She hugs him and he speaks to her. "You look nice."

I glance over at Dominic and smile. "Thank you. So do you."

He looks to Owen then back to me. "Were you surprised?"

I nod. "I couldn't believe he was back. I didn't even know the funeral was today until this morning."

He chuckles. "That's Owen for you. He seemed happy to back. He missed you two."