Silver & Black (32 page)

“Everyone that doesn’t agree with Prince Black is unstable,” Milo sarcastically states. “Are you going to have me locked up too, Brian?”

“Damn right.” Silver doesn’t even back down. He’s fearless. Milo cocks the gun’s hammer and points it at Silver.

“Please no,” I beg. I slowly stand with my hands up. “You said you made a promise, what was the promise?”

“To validate his death. To torture your mind the way you did his. I’m doing this for him.” Marcus presses his chest to Milo’s back. “Marcus, you promised me when we took our vows.”

“Vows? You two are married?” Levi gasps. Milo hushes him. “Well, that’s one husband that cheated a whole lot.” Levi snaps with attitude.

“Same here,” Jeff adds.

“I promised you love, and I’ve kept that promise. Let’s go. We can have everything we ever wanted because of your brilliant plan.”

“I thought it would make me feel good to see him pay for Derrick, but I only feel pain. He feels no remorse.” Milo’s eyes change. The hate, the pain drives him. He is out for one thing: revenge. His breathing picks up and he mumbles something then he asks, “You don’t feel sorry at all, do you?”

“No.” I didn’t even have to think. “I’m sorry for you, but I don’t feel bad for him.”

“Fuck you!” He clicks the gun and with one shot everyone in the place scatters. Silver barrels me over, knocking me to the floor. Jeff topples Levi and Marcus tries to stop Milo, but it is too late. The blood seeped onto the floor in a puddle around his head. Milo had shot himself.

“No!” Marcus falls to the ground and cradles Milo in his arms. He checks his pulse. “He’s alive.”

All of a sudden, the door crashes open and Cynthia and several police officers come running in with their guns drawn. “Is everyone ok?” Silver nods and holds me tight. I’m in complete shock. I can’t move. I can’t talk. I can’t…. What just happened?

“Help him. He’s sick. I was going to help,” Marcus cries. “Please help him.”

Cynthia bends and checks his pulse for herself. “An ambulance is on its way.” No sooner did she get the words out, and then paramedics rush into the room. “Marcus Mullins, you are under arrest.” She pulls him up. He still has blood on his hands. She handcuffs him and begins reading him his rights. He’s crying hysterically.

“Is he still alive?” He ignores the detective and watches the paramedics work on Milo.

“We’ll keep you updated,” she says and then orders another officer to take him out. He screams because he wants to stay. I almost feel bad. The paramedics put Milo on the stretcher and wheel him out. “Greyson, are you ok?” I still haven’t moved from the floor. “Greyson, do you need a doctor?” I glance around the room, completely bewildered by what just occurred. Jeff is hugging Levi who is crying. I want to ask if he’s ok, but no words come out. Silver is talking to a detective, and I want to ask him so many things. But again, I have no words.

~Chapter Thirty-Six~

I go over the scene in my head repeatedly, completely ignoring Cynthia’s questions. Silver kneels down beside me. He lifts my chin. As our eyes meet, I feel a sense of comfort, tranquility. “It’s over,” he says. But it isn’t. A man is shot, another off to jail because of me, and I still have no idea really why. He helps me stand on my shaking legs. “I think he’s in shock,” Silver says to Levi.

“Maybe we should take him to the hospital.” Jeff examines me.

“Is Milo going to be ok?” I mutter.

“Why are you worried about a man that just tried to hurt you?” Jeff asks.

“Cynthia?” I turn to her. She shrugs. “I never meant to hurt anyone.”

“You didn’t.” Silver embraces me. My arms are limp next to me. I’m completely numb. “They wanted to hurt you.”

“You’re lucky Brian called us.” Cynthia smiles.

“When… When did you have time…? When did you,” I stutter.

“I’ll explain everything. Let’s get you some water.” He sits me down at the table and grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator. Cynthia is taking Levi and Jeff’s statements. “You knew?”

“Yes. I found out after we went to see Cynthia that day. When she told me that Derrick had killed himself, and you made a comment about him having family. I did some digging and traced it back to Milo.”

“But you didn’t say anything and he was sleeping with my best friend.”

“I didn’t find out until last night for sure. I knew Marcus had something to do with it. He was setting me up to look like the guilty one. I knew he had to have some connection. Connor helped me, and we saw Milo and Marcus together one night. That’s how I knew to investigate Milo. I didn’t know they were married. That came as a shock to me, as well.”

“Marcus did it all for him?”

“Marcus did it because he lost everything in a bad deal. He blackmailed me for the money. It wasn’t until he started emailing about revenge that I knew Milo had other things in mind. I arranged this meeting, but then you showed up.” He rocks back. “God, if anything would have happened to you because of me.” He cups my face. “You should have told me you saw the text. We could have worked together.”

“You should have told me a lot of things, Silver. My mother?”

He nods. “I should have been honest with you from the beginning. I had every intention to tell you the truth, but then all this happened and I was afraid that I would look guilty. Ironic isn’t it? That’s exactly what happened. I did pay for your tuition, but it’s not for the reason you think. I did it because I owed her. I owed her everything.”

“I don’t understand. Did you know her?”

“No, I wish I did. I feel like I do because of you.”

“Then what do you mean?”

“She’s the reason I can see,” he says, and my breathing hitches. “I received your mother’s corneas. She saved my sight.”

My eyes tear. “You have my mother’s eyes?”

“No, that’s always a misconception. I only received her corneas not her eyes. But the gift gave me back my sight. I was almost completely blind. She gave me sight and my life back.”

“I can’t believe this.”

“I wanted to help the donor’s family. I wanted to thank them for her gift. I went to your house.”

“What?”

“You were young, barely seventeen. Your dad answered the door and he was drunk or high, maybe both. He said ‘are you here for my queer son? Take him. He’s fucking useless.’ I guess he thought that I was there to take you out. I didn’t say anything and walked away. I knew then that helping him wasn’t an option, and that maybe I could help you. Coincidentally, you ended up going to the university Marcus worked at. Marcus helped me track you. And I did pay for your tuition. Marcus just let me know how much I owed. That way you could move and not live with that man. That’s what he meant when he said I started it. I guess I did. He would have never gotten involved if I didn’t ask him to.”

Another idea pops in my head. “You paid for my mother’s headstone?”

“I was distraught when I found out she didn’t have a proper one. She deserved that. You deserved that. I arranged to do it anonymously through the cemetery.”

“Why? Did you think I would be upset?”

“Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about you as Greyson. I was thinking of you as Rita’s son. When all this happened it was purely innocent; a gesture of gratitude to a woman that gave chances to others. It’s true. I hid things from you. You have to believe me when I say I never meant to hurt you.”

“You were willing to pay money so I wouldn’t hear this from Marcus or Milo?”

“I was willing to pay to keep you safe, just like I did with Derrick.”

“You had him arrested? I always wondered. I never had the courage.”

“I paid someone to find him and the police took care of the arrest.”

“You knew everything about me and yet I’m finding out all this stuff about you.”

“I’m sorry. I did it for you, for her. I knew she would want you protected. When I found out who Milo was… I would have paid any amount to stop him. But I’m not dumb; I knew to not try it on my own. I called Cynthia.”

“You watched me for years, Silver.”

“No. I paid and helped from afar. I honestly didn’t carry any feelings for you besides as Rita’s son. That is, until I saw you again at Jeff’s coffeehouse. I never even realized you worked at one of my coffee chains. I admit, I did start watching you, but not in a stalking kind of way. I knew I wanted to get to know you. I knew I had to get know you. I saw you at The Silver Lining that night and I knew my feelings for you were more than innocent. The way you were dancing. Your smile. I couldn’t take my off you, Greyson. That night changed everything for me. And the rest you know.”

“The watch?” My voice cracks. I’m so overwhelmed.

He smiles. “I seriously don’t know who got Brady his. I can only assume it was Marcus setting me up. He knew you would see it and question it. I bought that because it reminded me of you and me. The colors a mix of our names.”

“What’s the eight mean?” I look him in the eyes.

“It’s how many drinks I had to buy you before you came over to see me that night,” he says and I laugh. “Told you it was corny. And no, there are no other numbered watches out there.”

“You were there? I thought you had left.”

“It was all part of my plan. I wanted to see your face when I showed up the next morning at the coffeehouse. A man has to play hard to get.”

He laughs and lets out an exasperated sigh. He presses his forehead against mine. Cynthia, Levi, and Jeff walk back in the apartment. Honestly, I never even noticed they had left. I was so interested in what Silver was talking about. “Milo will live,” she says. “And we’ll make sure after he recovers, that he goes to jail.”

“He needs help. Promise to get him some help.”

“I promise. I’m going to go back to the station. I’ll be in contact with both of you later.” She leaves.

“You don’t have any more secrets, do you?”

“I have lots of secrets, Mr. Black. But I promise none that will put you in danger anymore. I understand that it might take you some time to trust me and I don’t blame you. I don’t want to lose you, Greyson. What can I do to get you to forgive me?”

“Nothing,” I whisper, and he hangs his head. “I want you too.” He looks at me. His eyes, with a story all to themselves, start to tear. “I just want you to be open with me, always.”

“Always, baby.” He leans in and kisses me hard. “From this point on, I promise to not hide anything like this from you. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry for not talking to you. I still have a lot of growing up to do.”

“So do I, and we still have stuff to learn about one another. I just want you to trust me. Knowing I hurt you is torture.”

“You have to understand, I’ve lived with people lying to me my entire life. The men in my life, including my father, all let me down. When I saw the texts it about killed me. I never thought you would let me down, and I trusted you.”

“I hope you still can.” He frowns as his eyes fill with sadness.

“Trust is more important to me than love. You can’t have love without trust. And I had just told you that I thought I was falling in love with you. My world crashed.”

“I’m so sorry.” He takes my hands, holding them in his and kisses my knuckles. “I’m so sorry.”

“The thing is, Silver. I wasn’t really mad at you. I was mad at myself. I was pissed that I let someone do this to me again. I really felt different with you.”

“It is different.”

I gaze deep into his blue eyes. “It is different. I said some pretty crazy things.”

“All justified.”

“Maybe. I said them because I was trying to convince myself. I thought if I said them out loud it would make sense. I want you, Silver.”

“I want you, too.” He grins. “Why do I think there’s a but?”

“But… I need to know that I can trust you.”

“Can you?” he asks hopeful.

“Yeah. Yes. Don’t make me regret this second chance.” I smile and pull him into a hug.

“Oh God, Greyson.” He kisses the side of my head. “I’ll never let you go.”

“Speak now, Silver. Is there anything else you’re keeping from me?”

“Yes.” My heart feels like it stops as I brace for his answer. “I think I’m falling in love with you, too.”

“Oh―” I stand and wrap my arms around him. His lips move slowly, sensually over mine. We kiss long and hard.

“See, this is how the story is supposed to end. The hooker gets the rich billionaire,” Levi jokes and claps. Silver stops and looks at me. I shake my head and smirk.

“Should I ask?” Silver asks.

“No. I promise I’m not a hooker.” We laugh.

“Whatever you say, ‘pretty woman’. Own it!” Levi winks and snaps his fingers. “Now let’s get the hell out of here.” He grabs Jeff’s hands and pretends to dance and sing the theme song to the movie.

~Epilogue~

After Graduation

I stand and look at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. Five years it took me to get here and it was over with one swipe of my tassel. I’m officially a college graduate.
Man, that’s weird to say.
The commencement speaker spoke about second chances and it really made me ponder what that meant. Do we all deserve second chances? I know I have been blessed with some, and I certainly have given them.

Staring at the black cap and gown, I stand proud. My life is mine. Everything that has happened was just pieces of the puzzle to help build the man that I’ve become.

“Are you just going to stand there and admire yourself in the mirror? If you didn’t notice, there’s a party going on in your honor out there,” Levi says walking into the bathroom of The Silver Lining. He stands behind me and looks around my shoulder to our reflections. “You do look great in this little cap and gown, honey. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you, Levi.”

“Good. Now get your pretty ass out there and mingle.”

“I don’t know why we had to have such a party.”

“Because we are celebrating you and your achievement.” Levi straightens my gown.

“You didn’t even go to your graduation.” I point out.

“Well, I’m not you.” I turn to face him. “We’re all grown-up now.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that.” I laugh.

“The future is bright, my friend. Let’s get drunk!” He takes my hand and we walk out.

The club is hopping. Levi and Silver have planned a graduation party in my honor in one of the halls. It’s a small gathering: a few friends, some work colleagues, and Silver’s family. I greet everyone as I walk past them to the bar. It’s funny hearing them congratulate me. I can’t seem to find Silver. He’s probably wining and dining some business people. “What’s your poison tonight, honey?” Levi asks.

“Scotch.”

“Oh a sophisticated man,” Levi teases. He orders as Jeff walks up behind us.

“Grey, I’m so proud of you.”

“That’s what everyone keeps saying. But thank you.”

“It’s been a hell of a few months.”

“You’re telling me,” I say and Levi turns to hand me my drink. He glares at Jeff.

“What?”

“Don’t ‘what’ me.” He waggles his head with attitude. “You’re late.”

“Oh, well, how can I make that up to you?” Jeff pulls Levi and kisses him.
That’s still so weird.
They do make a cute couple. Apparently, they bonded over the fact that they were both used by Milo and Marcus and finding out that they were pawns in Milo and Marcus’s marriage brought them together. They’ve been seeing each other exclusively ever since. They had each other to lean on. It was a traumatic time for all of us. Me especially. I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have Silver.
Where is that man anyway?
I look around and spot him talking to his parents. I excuse myself from Levi and Jeff, not that they care. They’re too busy making out to notice.

I make my way across the room to join Silver. He grins as I get closer.
It never gets old
. “Congratulations, son,” Scott says and shakes my hand.

“Yes, so proud of you.” Jennifer hugs me.

“Thank you, both, and thank you for coming.”

“We wouldn’t miss it.” Scott reaches into his pocket and pulls out an envelope and hands it to me. “This is for you.”

“Oh, no, sir I couldn’t.”

“Of course you can. This actually isn’t your gift. This belongs to you.” He has me wondering. I take the envelope. “Open it.”

I open it and look inside. There is a stack of cash. “I can’t take this. This is too much.”

“Like I said, it belongs to you. Silver gave me the money your father had given you. I invested it and this is the return on it.”

“We did use some to donate to a blood clot organization in memory of your mother,” Silver proudly states.

“Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

“No need. It’s yours, son. Enjoy it and here, take this. This is your gift. It’s not quite that much.” Scott laughs, handing me a card in an envelope. “Oh, look I think I see Charles. Let’s go, dear.” Scott and Jennifer leave Silver and I.

“Have I mentioned how proud I am of you?”

“Only about a zillion times today.” I kiss his cheek. “Can we just stop saying that?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything is perfect. I just want to enjoy it and take every minute of it in.” I glance around the room. “Thank you, Silver.”

“You owe me no thanks. I’m nothing without you.” And the truth is: I am nothing without him. A couple of months ago, I questioned that and with good reason. But Silver has proven repeatedly that he is trustworthy. Normally, I wouldn’t have forgiven so easily, but I knew there was something special about him. Something I could never deny. He is the man that I was intended to meet. And I like to think my mother had something do with that. After all, it was her gift that brought him into my life. That and his persistence. “Look who’s here,” Silver says and points toward the door where Brady and his wife were walking in. She helps Brady through the crowded room.

“So happy you both could make it,” I greet her with a kiss on the cheek.

“We wouldn’t miss our favorite barista’s party.” Brady smiles. “I guess we’ll be looking for someone else.”

“You’re firing me already?” I joke. “I’m in no rush, Brady. I love working there with your family.”

“Good to know. Shall we get a drink, love?” Brady asks Liz.

“So proud of you, Greyson.” She and Brady walk over to the bar. They’re good people. There’s no other way to say it. Silver was completely right. I look up to Brady. He’s so strong, and probably the best dad and husband I know. He got sucked into Marcus and Milo’s web as well. He just did it unknowingly. We found out that Marcus gifted Brady the watch because he knew I would see it and ask questions. In the last few months, we learned a lot about what their intentions were.

Milo suffered from depression. He was extremely young when he met Derrick. During treatment, the psychologist brought out everything that Milo had been hiding. He too was manipulated by Derrick, used and abused. The doctor said that some people deal with traumatic events differently. Milo believed Derrick loved him. He believed that he was doing Derrick justice by hurting me, or trying, thankfully, in my case. Derrick preyed on young boys and Milo fell for it just like I did. Milo never turned on Derrick. He swore his undying love even though Derrick used him. It actually makes me feel bad for Milo. To be that screwed up over a man who hurt him, it’s crazy. I don’t understand it, but I don’t have a mental illness either. I swear Derrick deserved everything he got for doing what he did to me and Milo. Just goes to prove, even the smartest of men can be the most vulnerable. Milo is serving time in a correctional facility that deals with people who have mental and emotional disabilities. The case against him hasn’t gone to trial yet. The judge and the doctors agree that Milo needs mental evaluation and treatment. The lawyer that Silver hired also agrees. If we went to court now he would get off or get a lesser charge because he would plead insanity.

Marcus, on the other hand, is doing time. He pleaded guilty to bribery. He got off easy considering they took a lesser charge in exchange for a guilty plea. He really does love Milo, though. He would have taken the wrap for everything if there hadn’t been so many witnesses.

It turns out that Milo and Marcus had been married for just over a month when all this occurred. They married in secret and it was all part of Milo’s plan. Marcus went along with it because of the money. Milo was the mastermind. They bribed Silver for close to forty thousand dollars.
I found that out after
. Marcus lost everything he had inherited and his savings when he invested in a bad deal. Silver was the perfect target.

After Marcus told Milo everything about Silver paying for my schooling and why, it fueled Milo more. Milo had insisted that I was taking advantage of Silver the same way he felt I took Derrick for granted. Marcus made it look like Silver was guilty. It was all a big mind game. Milo wanted me to think I couldn’t trust anyone. Hell, he did a good job at that, there for a while.

At the time, I didn’t understand why everything stopped for a couple of months, but now I know that it was to set up Silver. The closer Silver and I got, the closer they got to the money and revenge. I don’t know what Milo’s exact plans for me were. Honestly, I think I’m better off not knowing. All I know is, Milo and Marcus both are mentally unstable and I hope I never see either of them for as long as I live.

But out of hardship and pain comes growth and strength. And let’s not forget second chances. I watch the dance floor. Silver dances with Deborah while Levi is nearby in Jeff’s arms. I can’t help but smile at all the good that came out of this. I’ve never been this happy. Life is good.

Silver waves me to the dance floor. As I join him, he takes my hand and turns me. Pulling me close, we dance slowly to our song, “Thinking Out Loud.” He presses his cheek to mine. “Did I ever tell you I have a fantasy about a man in a cap and gown?”

“Is that so?”

“Mhmm,” he hums against my ear. “Do you want to get out of here? The party is dying down anyway.” I look around. It is getting late and it looks like most people have left.

“Yeah. Let me just say good-bye and thank Levi.” Silver walks his family out. I pull Levi aside. “Silver and I are going to go.”

“Go get some, honey. I know I am,” he says and turns to wink at Jeff. He looks at me. “Ha, sorry I’m a wee bit drunk.” He hugs me tight.

“I’m happy for you, Levi. I’ve never seen you this happy before.”

“Honey, I’m so happy that I feel like I can spew happiness all over the place. Who would have thought that your weasel would be my prince?”

“As long as he makes you happy and he treats you well, I’m good.”

“He treats me so well. If you know what I mean,” he says with a wink. I laugh. I love drunk Levi. “Plus, he knows if he hurts me or lies to me, I’ll kick his ass. And no one wants these shoes in their ass.” He points to his very stylish, pointy-toed men’s dress shoes. He gets very serious and grabs my shoulders. “I love you, Grey. I do.”

“I love you, too.”

“You look so happy.”
Ok, I know he’s completely drunk when he’s feeling my face as he says that.
“You are, right?”

I laugh because he looks so somber right now. “Completely.”

“That’s because you got your white rose and your rich billionaire.”

“You’re not going to let this
Pretty Woman
thing go, are you?”

“It’s too much fun, honey. Now, go get laid.” He hugs me.

“You too.”

“Oh, I plan to.” He walks away waving his hand.
I seriously have the best friend in the world.

I meet Silver outside. He takes my hand as Connor pulls up the car. Climbing in the backseat, Silver gives Connor a pat on the shoulder. We drive away, but Connor takes a different route than I expect. I look at Silver. He has a mischievous grin on his face.
He’s up to something.
“Where are we going?”

“I have to stop at the office real fast. I hope that ok?”

“Sure. It’s not like I’m in any rush to get you back to your place,” I say and tease the inside of his thigh with my hand. I scoot closer to him. Placing my leg over his, I kiss the side of his neck. He turns his head and his eyes pierce through me. He grabs a fistful of my hair and attacks my mouth with his. I pull off his lips and breathlessly whisper, “Can’t the office wait? I really want to get you alone.”

“We’re already here. It won’t take long. Please, come up with me.” Connor gets out of the car and opens our door. Silver leans in and whispers something in Connor’s ear. Connor nods and then gets back into the car. “This way.” He takes my hand.

“What’d you tell Connor?”

“Well I can’t tell you that.” He opens the building. He owns the building, but leases most of it out. The top level is where Silver Inc.’s corporate offices are. We get off the elevator. Silver pulls me through the hallway toward his office and then past it. I look at him in confusion, but he’s on a mission.

“I thought you had to get something out of your office?”

“No. There’s something in this one.” We stop at the end of the hall. He opens the door to a corner office with a magnificent view of Manhattan. He goes over to the desk and leans on the front of it. “Have a seat.” He nods with his head to the chairs that are directly in front of the desk.

“Whose office is this?”

“It’s nice isn’t it?” Silver smiles.

“Yeah. It’s very nice.”

“I have a graduation present for you,” he proudly says.

“Silver, you’ve already done so much.”

“One more won’t hurt, will it?” He slides a folder across the desk and hands it to me. “Here.”

“I take it it’s not a car then?” I joke.

“Do you want a car?”

“I’m joking.” I open the folder.