Page 100 of Between Love & Ruin

Her eyes flit between mine, and my heart hurts knowing that this is the first and the last time I am lying to her.

“I know people are trying to tear this apart, and God, I hate that I can’t protect us from every damn thing they throw our way. I hate feeling like I’m standing here, watching people try to take something from me that I would give anything to keep.”

He pauses, his eyes locked on mine.

“But I’ll be damned if I let them destroy us. Not after finding you. Not after everything we’ve been through to get here. I don’t care how many people try to come between us, Sienna. I don’t care how difficult it gets. I will fight for you. For us. Because you and I were always meant to find each other, and I refuse to let anyone convince me otherwise.”

Her bottom lip quivers, and I gently trace it with my thumb. She sucks in a deep breath, and I swallow past the guilt brewing in my chest.

“I love you, Sienna Hayes. And no matter what happens, no matter who tries what, no matter the good and the bad, I am going to continue loving you. I just want you to let me.”

I kiss her forehead. “Please don’t push me away.”

I move to her eyes, and they flutter close. I gently kiss her eyes, soaking in her warmth.

“Please don’t hide from me.”

I kiss her cheeks then.

“Please trust me with everything you have got.”

I whisper the last words against her lips before softly caressing them. Before she opens up to me completely, finally surrendering to me now.

“Please let me love you till my last breath, Sienna Hayes.”

* * *

I have been restless all night. I don’t care about lying to anyone. I never have had any problem with swearing on my soul while I said the whitest lie possible.

But the moment I lied to Sienna last night, something inside me shattered. I probably shouldn’t have, but one look into her eyes and I was sure that she wouldn’t be able to handle the truth.

Whatever twisted way of the universe to bring us together, to write us in each other’s lives way before we could have met.

The day our parents died together tragically in a car accident. When my parents’ car crashed into her parents.

I know while none of them had possible fault in that, I know that she will take this thing to her heart.

I know it will shatter her. Especially after all the lies Myra has sowed in her mind.

She called my woman, the love of my life, and the only person who is completely and entirely mine—something that will ruin me.

I scoff internally, shaking my head as I stare at Sienna softly breathing under the sheets.

If Sienna Hayes would ruin me, I would be the one handling the mess.

If she were to stab me in the back, I would be the one handing her that knife.

Now I need to make sure the truth never comes out.

Not till she is ready.

Because when it will come out, it will break what little of her sanity remains.

And I will be the one who will piece her back together.

I will always be there.

I sigh and give one last kiss to her, watching her slowly breathe out before I walk out to the adjoining balcony of my room.