Page 225 of Sincerely, Butterfly

She looks around before grabbing my hand and pulling me to the side. “Jasper told me everything.” She turns to face me. “As he did with his father, but no one else knows.”

Nerves twist my stomach. “You don’t hate me?” I ask.

“Hate you?” she laughs. “No, honey, I admire you. You knew what you wanted, and you went for it. Not many people are that dedicated to getting the person they love.”

“You don’t think I’m evil? Or should be locked up in a padded room?”

“Are you going to hurt my son, or his friends?”

“Never.” My eyes widen as I shake my head.

“Hurt me or my husband?” I shake my head again. “Callie or your parents?”

“Never.”

“What about children?”

“I’d rather die,” I gape at her.

“Then no, I have no issues with you, Nola.” She smiles affectionately. “I knew since you were kids that you and those boys were meant to be. It was only a matter of time. It’s sad that it took what you did to get them to see. But if that's how it had to be, then so be it. What matters now is you have one another. You’re where you’re supposed to be. I must say, I am grateful for what you’re willing to do to help the boys out. I know Jasper has been stressed about everything with the Brotherhood,” she tells me, whispering the last part. “He worries so much about letting his father down. I just wish he could see how much his father is proud of him, how much he loves him.”

“I’m sure he will some day.” I smile up at her. “And of course I’d help. They’re in this situation because of me, it’s only fair that I do something to fix it.”

We talk for a little while longer. I tell her about school, what I’m studying, and my hobbies. I knew she loved plants and flowers, which is why she has a whole rose bush maze in the backyard. But I didn’t know she loved butterflies as much as I do.

“Mind if I steal her away, Mama?” Sylas asks, kissing Amelia on the cheek.

“If you must,” she laughs. “Have fun, kids.”

“We will.” Sylas sweeps me away, and I laugh as he spins me around to the dance floor.

“Are you having fun?” he asks me, his hands going right to my ass, giving it a squeeze, not caring that people are watching.

“I am.” I nod, smiling up at him as I wrap my arms around his neck.

“What did you and Mama Park talk about?”

“How stupid you boys were,” I giggle.

He gasps. “That was all, Jasper. I wanted to snatch you up as ours a long time ago.”

“Everything happens for a reason. We’re here now, that’s what matters.”

His eyes search mine for a moment. “I thought we’d never have one of these nights again,” he says. “The last time you were here, it killed me to see you go, but I knew it was the right thing at the time. Because you might be our crazy, kinky, little freak now, but you haven’t always been like that, have you?”

I slowly shake my head no.

“When?” he asks. “When did you start getting your dark, twisty thoughts?”

“A few years ago.” I shrug. “Started when the kids at school got meaner, but once you three left, it got worse.”

His jaw grinds, and I know he’s pissed. “I’ll kill them all,” he vows.

My thighs clench together, the thought turning me on. “As hot as that would be, they don’t deserve our time anymore. I’d rather them see me rise, see me on top. It’s the sweetest revenge for them to see they were wrong about me, and be reminded just how much better I am than they are.”

“You’re so fucking amazing, you know that, right?” Sylas asks, kissing my forehead. “As much as we would love to dance, these parties are more for business. But Callie is around here somewhere. Go find her, have fun, and when we’re done adulting, we will come find you, okay?"

“Okay.”