The Last Husband (Forever Love #2)(46)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“Oh.” I looked at him cautiously. “Did he ever say why he went there so many times?”

“No, but I never really asked. I just assumed he had a thing for French girls or just really loved the food.” He chortled and turned to face me. “My brother was a bit of a player in his time.”

“Really?” I looked at him in surprise. “I thought he was really in love with, you-know-who.”

“Are we not saying her name now?” He grimaced. “Not that I want us to go down that road again.” He half laughed and half sighed. “Actually, to be honest, I was shocked when he became serious with Angelique. I mean, I knew he liked her, who wouldn’t? She’s a looker.” I frowned at him and he grinned at me mischievously. “My bad. Anyway, I meant that she wasn’t really the sort of girl I could see him falling for like that.” His expression turned serious. “That’s why I wanted to get Braydon. I honestly don’t think it was feelings that made Noah jump. I think it was the drugs. I think it was all the drugs.” He shook his head. “Noah was one of those guys who was open to love, but I certainly didn’t think he found the real deal with that bitch.”

“Oh.” I pursed my lips at his words, but inside I was happy that he was calling Angelique the word I called her in my mind. “Did Braydon ever say why Noah jumped? Like what happened exactly?” I spoke softly, not wanting to push the conversation if Zane wasn’t ready.

“You know what’s funny?” Zane looked at me with a confused expression. “When I was at the police station, the FBI office, Agent Waldron let me listen to some of Braydon’s interrogation. And Braydon kept shouting something about how he never actually witnessed Noah jumping. He said he wasn’t actually on the roof with him when he jumped. He was shouting that they weren’t going to pin Noah’s death on him. He said that Noah was talking all crazy, took the drugs from him and made some comments about flying, but supposedly Braydon then went to go and get some more weed from his car. He said when he went back to the roof, Noah had already jumped and before he knew it, the police were there and so was an ambulance. He said he saw Noah on a stretcher and before he could say anything, the ambulance was gone and he was pulled in for questioning.” Zane paused. “It was just weird.”

“Why was that weird?” I reached over and held his hand in mine and squeezed his fingers. Hearing about his brother’s death always made me feel so sad.

“I don’t know.” He cocked his head. “It’s just that the story was so much different from what I’d heard before.”

“Oh?” I looked at him with questioning eyes.

“Yeah.” He sighed. “I always thought that Braydon was there when Noah jumped. The police made me think that Braydon was on the roof just standing there when Noah ran and jumped.” His voice cracked and my heart went out to him. “I guess it doesn’t really matter.”

“Maybe Braydon is just lying now.” I reached over and stroked his chin. “We both know how shady he is.”

“Yeah.” He sighed. “I asked to talk to him. I wanted to know exactly what happened, but Agent Waldron told me it wouldn’t be possible.”

“What? After everything you did to help them?” My voice rose in disgust. “They should be ashamed of themselves. Why couldn’t they let you get some answers?”

“I guess they don’t want to compromise the case.” Zane’s eyes looked thoughtful as he stared at me. “I just thought it was strange.”

“They should understand your need for closure.” I was angry for him. “They basically used you to bring Braydon and Angelique down and now they can’t even let you find out exactly what happened the night that he died? It’s not fair.”

“It’s okay, Lucky.” Zane issued me a crumpled smile. “I loved my brother and I will always honor his memory, but I need to live in the here and now. I nearly lost you with my focus on revenge. I’m not going to let it all control my mind anymore. I want to focus on us now, and making our relationship stronger.”

“Oh, Zane.” My eyes filled with tears at his words. He sounded so sincere and they were like music to my ears. “You don’t know how much that means to me to hear you say that.”

“I’ve noticed how distant you’ve been these last few days Lucky, and it has killed me. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to make this relationship work. Nothing I wouldn’t give to make this a forever love. I want to prove my love to you. I want the birds in the sky to chirp of my love for you. I want the pygmies in Africa to talk of my love for you. I want the fish in the bottom of the ocean to feel the depths of my love for you.”

“You’re going to make me cry.” I bit my lip and looked at the sincere expression in his eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”

“I finished my song for you.” He laughed. “But it’s more like a poem. I’d like to say it to you, if you don’t mind.”

I groaned at his words. “Does that mean I’ll have to say mine as well?”

“If you want.” He laughed. “But you don’t have to.”

“I will, but you first.” My stomach turned over with nerves. “The genius has to go first.”

“Well, I’m glad you’ve finally admitted that I’m a genius.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you are.”

“Okay, here we go.” Zane turned around to face me and his blue eyes were full of emotion as he started to talk. I focused on his pink lips and the slight stubble on his chin as he spoke, because I was scared that if I looked into his eyes as he spoke, I would be a blubbering mess.

One day, people shall talk of this day, my love

One day, birds shall sing of my joy, my love

One day, the wind shall scream the truth to the world, my love

Ten years of our love is not enough, my love

Eternity is just a drop in time for our love, my love

You have the key to my heart and soul, my love

I don’t want to walk a foot without you besides me, my love

I don’t want to talk without seeing your smile, my love

I live for the moments when it’s just us, my love

Give me forever to love you, my love

Give me your trust and your life, my love

I’ll protect you and love you all my life, my love

One day will come when the whole world will talk of our love, my love