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“You hate me. It violated your trust. I know, but the idea—.”
My words cut off as she pushed up, pressing our mouths together. A growl rumbled through my chest as her soft body smashed into mine. Her warm lips begged for entrance.
My fingers threaded through her hair, holding her close as we opened. My tongue surged forward, devouring her with desperation like it was the last time. Because I thought it was going to be. I thought I’d never hear her quiet whimpers again. Feel her luscious curves snuggled against me. See her beautiful face.
My teeth sank into her lip as she pulled back, trying to keep her. “I am happy. I love you.”
My chest ached, but now it was because it felt like my heart was trying to explode. She spoke those words earlier when she believed I was dying. Now, we were both safe, and she was still saying them.
And I could see it. The devotion in her eyes. The affection shining through. I had no idea what I did to deserve it. I’d pushed her away. Then I’d tricked her. She should hate me, but somehow she didn’t.
“We’re having another wedding.” My voice was firm as I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. I’d love to devour the rest of her right now, but it wasn’t the place.
“What?” Her brows scrunched as she looked at me like I was crazy.
“I want you to have everything you desire. The whole thing. At a church or the hotel. With all the flowers and a dress and—.”
“Vander!” She grasped my cheeks, and I turned, pressing a kiss to her palm. A shiver ran through her body, but she held me tighter. “I don’t want it.”
“Of course you do. I forced—.”
“No, I don’t.” Now, it was her that had the firm tone. The resolve in it made my mouth snap shut. “I just want you and our baby. That’s all I need. You’re all I need.”
I grasped the nape of her neck, bringing her lips within an inch of mine. “I love you.”
She didn’t have a chance to answer because I was kissing her again. Not caring that I was in pain. That this wasn’t the time. I thought I lost her. Any time for the rest of our lives was the right time to kiss her.
I was never going to stop because she was no longer forbidden.
She was mine.
50
Grace
My legs shook as I stepped into the dark interior. It smelt like death. The scent threw me back to a month ago.
I heard the gunshot. Felt Vander’s blood on my skin. Saw his evergreen eyes close as I wondered if they’d ever open again.
“I’ve got you, Sunflower.” A shuddering breath left my lungs as Vander wrapped a strong arm around my waist, the one that wasn’t in a brace.
I leaned against him, using him for support. I could do this. Angelo didn’t smile as we approached the door, but his nod of approval helped. The steel rattled on the hinges as he yanked it open.
The man inside knelt, but seemed on the verge of collapsing. Of course, I’d look like that, too, if Angelo had tortured me for a month. Hurting him just enough to keep him alive.
Mike’s hair was greasy and matted with blood and dirt. His skin was ashen, and various liquids I didn’t want to identify clung to his clothes. I noticed his swollen eyes as he lifted his head to look at us.
My chest tightened. My throat closed as guilt crept up my esophagus. I was the reason he was here. I was the reason he would die.
“Hi, Grace.” He smiled as he said it. An evil smirk I’d never seen from him before. It made my blood run ice cold.
“Mrs. Kent.” I felt Vander’s rage in how he held my hand tighter. “Actually, don’t address her at all. You lost the right to speak when you sent her to die.”
His eyes gleamed in the dark barn as he shrugged. “I thought I was sending her off to be sold.”
“And that makes it okay?” My voice shook with anger, not guilt or fear. I no longer felt anything for this monster.
I believed Vander was one. But I should’ve known better. I’d seen real monsters. I’d faced them more than once in my life. They were foolish enough to think I was weak.
