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And, even though I’d told her she needed to think about it, I hadn’t really meant it.
It made me a selfish bastard, but I hadn’t actually planned on letting her go.
I could allow her light to swallow my darkness, as she’d said.
For the first time in my life, I'd believed in more than revenge and my past.
And then, panic—when I woke to her missing, the bed cold and empty.
Desperate. When she wouldn't answer my phone calls or my texts.
Anger that I hadn't put a tracker on her phone.
Then, manic. When I'd gotten a single text from her. With no explanation, no answer to my demanding texts or calls.
Just a goddamn location.
As I’d frantically driven here, I didn’t know if she was alive or dead.
Pulling up in the darkness, I could only see a small path of white stone.
I’d crashed through it, barely able to see.
Then, in the flickering of candlelight—the sight of Summer. Running towards me.
I was equal parts relieved and angry. As soon as I'd opened my mouth to tell her just how angry I was, she'd lit up like a Christmas tree.
As she jumped into my arms and wrapped her legs around me, I held in the tortured groan from the pain shooting through me. Internally, I swore that I hadn’t taken another pain pill. But as she held me with all her might, shaking like a trembling leaf, I could only hold her tight and breathe her in.
All the panic and anger drained, a rushing warmth taking its place. It filled me until it was flowing into my face and ears, so strong and overwhelming that I could only fall to my knees, repentant for ever being mad at the woman who'd taken over my heart.
"You're alive," I pressed my lips to her ear, kissing it, my eyes squeezed shut, my arms wrapped like steel bands.
I was never letting her go.
Never.
"I'm okay," she said, her face pressed into the crook of my neck. "And you're here."
"Always," I growled. "I will always be here."
She pulled back to stare into my eyes, filled with confusion. And maybe a little bit of wariness.
I let her go to cup her jaw, my gaze meeting hers. "Always. You understand, Summer?"
"But I—,” she looked towards the small group watching us, gesturing towards the man tied to the ground, "I wanted to give you a parting gift--“
“Always,” I growled, interrupting her. “I will always be here.”
She hesitated, then gave me a determined look. “No.”
That one word stilled me. Once again.
“I can’t Rook. I can’t live in a world where I’m always wondering when you’re going to walk away. I need to be with someone who loves me so much, they would never ask me to leave them. I’m not sure if you’re capable of truly opening your heart to me. Of truly trusting me.”
“I can,” I argued.
She shook her head, “I don’t think so. You’ve told me time and time again, you will leave me. And I…” her words broke off, but then they were strong again. Defiant. Taking a step away from me. “I need more than that. I need someone who will accept me for who I am, someone who will love me, no matter what. I have to let you go.”
