Read Listed: Volume VI for Free Online

scars.
    “Don’t,
baby,” he murmured, rolling over onto his back so she couldn’t continue.
    His
tone had been gentle, but she was still frowning when he met her eyes. “Why
not?”
    He
wasn’t capable of explaining how much he hated the idea of those scars, of all
they reminded him of. He never should have said anything about it, though, so
he tried to make light of his objection. “You can kiss any other part of my
anatomy that you get the urge to. That’s a standing offer.”
    “Nice
try. Why is your back off limits?”
    “You
know why.”
    “There’s
nothing wrong with your scars.”
    He
just shook his head.
    “Paul?”
she prompted.
    “I
hate them.”
    She
leaned over and pressed a soft kiss on his shoulder. “I know you do, but I
don’t. I love them.”
    He
slanted a dubious look over in her direction. “That’s just weird.”
    “It
isn’t weird.”  She rolled over until she was almost on top of him. “I know
they’re painful for you to think about, and I’m really sorry you got them. But
I can’t hate them.”
    “Why
not?” Despite his discomfort with the conversation, he was genuinely curious.
    “Because
they’re part of what made you…you.”
    Touched
despite himself, he pulled her down into a deep kiss. When she pulled away,
however, her expression was thoughtful rather than passionate.
    “What
is it?” he asked, having a feeling he wouldn’t like what she was thinking.
    He
didn’t.
    “I
think you should go see your father again.”
    He
let out a rough exhalation. “Emily—”
    “I
know it wouldn’t be any fun for you to do, but I still think you should.”
    “Why
exactly?”
    “To
talk to him. To find out…I really think he’s the reason I’m alive today, Paul. He
was the one who made sure we found that report.”
    “He
also could have been the reason you got sick in the first place.”
    “Maybe.
But maybe not. We just don’t know about that for sure. I know you disagree, but
I still don’t think he was responsible for me getting virus. Either way, I
really think he was trying to help you by leading you to that report. And I
think…I think it would be good for you to see that.”
    He
knew she was serious, so he didn’t want to just blow her off with the sharp
retort that sprang to his lips.
    But
going to visit his father was the last thing in the world he wanted to do. He
was just finally starting to feel good about things.
    “I’ll
think about it,” he said at last. Even that gesture was harder than it should
have been.
    She
leaned down to kiss him again. “Good. Please do.”
    ***
    Two days later, Paul
went to visit his father in prison.
    He
wasn’t sure what to expect—except more of the same. His conversation with Emily
was nagging at him, though, and he figured he could survive another visit with his
father. However badly it turned out, he could at least be satisfied that he’d
done the right thing.
    But
when his father was escorted out to the visiting room and sat down across from
him, Paul was suddenly frozen. He’d thought over some ways to begin this
conversation, but he couldn’t remember any of them at the moment.
    He
couldn’t think of anything to say at all.
    He
didn’t even know why he was here.
    Vincent
Marino had always been in the habit of letting others begin conversations,
since being the first to speak meant needlessly giving away the advantage.
Today, however, he didn’t hesitate to begin. “You don’t look like a husband in
mourning.”
    “I’m
not, as I’m sure you’re very well aware. Emily’s virus has been effectively
treated.”
    “Good.”
    Paul
didn’t reply.
    “If
you aren’t here to share your joy at her miraculous recovery, then why exactly
are you here?”
     Even
the wording of that question itself was uncharacteristic of Vincent Marino. It
gave away too much.
    Since
his father was being so unusually blunt, Paul decided he would be as well.
“Were you the one responsible for us finding that report on