Page 135 of Devour

“I promise that I won’t ever keep anything from you. You might not always like what I say or do, but I won’t hide it from you.” His grip on my hand tightens. “I can’t lose you. I won’t survive it. And I know I don’t deserve you, but I’m too selfish to let you go. So I’m asking you to let me love you, little heathen. Forever.”

I reach up and cup his cheek. His jaw is unshaven and rough under my palm. I hold him there because I need him to see my eyes when I say this.

“I spent every second in that room not knowing if you were alive.” My voice shakes. I swallow so I can get the words out. “The only thing that kept me going was the thought that there was even a chance you were still breathing. I had to fight my way back to you. Or for you. I’d have killed every last person who took you from me. So, I’ll never let you fucking leave me.”

He turns his head and kisses my palm.

“I love you, Axl.” I bring my other hand up to grab his face and pull him to me with both hands. “That means you’re going to have to let me love you too. A queen needs a king. And the only place I want to be is serving my king.”

He presses his forehead against mine. His hands are on either side of my face now, and his thumbs brush the tears off my cheeks.

“God, I love you so fucking much.” He shifts so he’s beside me on the hospital bed.

“You’re still going to make me your good girl, right?” I tease him. “I don’t want my king to go soft.”

He brings his hand up and grips my throat, squeezing. “There’s nothing soft about me, baby. I don’t want you forgetting who the fuck I am. When you’re healed, I’ll remind you.”

I smile against the pressure of his hand. Fuck, I need him. “Promise?”

“Be careful what you wish for, heathen.” He tightens his grip and pulls me forward so my lips touch his, kissing me hard.

When he pulls back, a figure appears and catches his attention.

“Did you need something, Dad?” Axl doesn’t move from beside me.

“How is she?” Adam walks over and looks down at me. He puts his hand on Axl’s shoulder and squeezes. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

It’s strange being called that by the man who was hellbent on his son marrying another woman. But he’s Axl’s father, and I know that Axl is my future, so I’m going to have to get along with Adam Hollister too.

“Not too terrible.” Axl laces his fingers with mine. “But that’s probably the pain meds they have me on.”

Adam gives me a small smile. “You’re tough. I should’ve expected that. You have to be if you’re going to put up with my son.” He smirks at Axl and then turns serious. “Have you heard anything about Priest?”

“They removed the bullet, and his arm will be fine.” Axl’s thumb traces circles on the back of my hand. “If he can let it heal properly.”

“Priest was shot?” I ask. Axl hasn’t had the chance to tell me anything about what happened.

“He’ll be fine, baby,” Axl reassures me. “Nothing is going to take down Priest.”

I try to smile but it falters. “I hate that anyone got hurt because of me.”

“None of what happened is your fault.” Axl kisses the top of my head. “And Priest knew what I’d be like if I lost you.”

Adam pulls the chair closer and sits. He looks between us, and there’s almost a softness to his expression.

“Listen, I know this isn’t the best timing, but I want you both to know that I’ll support you being together.” He runs his fingers through his hair. Axl looks so much like him, except the eyes. “Whatever you two have planned for the future, I’ll support it. I should have from the start.”

Axl sits up straighter. “What changed your mind?” It’s obvious that he doesn’t fully trust what his father is saying.

“Watching the way you fought for her.” Adam holds his son’s gaze. “And finding out she killed two men with a folding knife.” He looks at me, approval in his eyes. “You’re not what I expected, Saylor. You’ll keep my son on his toes.”

Axl chuckles beside me. “That’s the fucking truth.”

“If marriage is what you have planned, I won’t stand in your way.” Adam leans back in the chair. “But we’ve got a problem. Raven marriages need authorization from the male heads of both families unless you get Council approval. And with Justin and your father both dead—” He pauses and looks at me. “I’m not certain who to contact on the Carter side.”

“What do you mean?” I sit up straighter and the stitches pull. Fuck. Justin’s words come rushing back. I had forgotten, unable to focus on what it meant at that moment. “Justin was telling the truth? What happened to my dad?”

Axl’s arm tightens around me. He looks at his father briefly and then down at me.