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“Yes?” He glanced over at her, the creepy smile still in place.
“About when we met …”
“You're right.” He nodded emphatically and reached over to take her hand. As much as she wanted to pull away from his touch, she forced herself to stay still, she couldn’t afford to do anything to upset him, and he believed that she was in love with him just like he thought he was in love with her. “I haven't thanked you properly yet.”
“Thanked me?”
“For saving my life.” His hand squeezed hers, curling around her fingers and clinging to them like if he let her go she mightdisappear.
“Saved your life?” As far as she knew she had never saved anyone’s life with the possible exception of trading herself for her nephew, but she knew that wasn't what Dante was talking about.
“You’re so sweet, but you don’t have to be modest, that night on the bridge I was going to jump. I didn't want to live anymore, but then you came along. You stopped. That was the first time in a long time that anyone had ever cared enough to even notice me let alone stop and go out of their way to help me.”
Dante was the man from last summer?
Around eleven one night, she had been driving back after attending a seminar on a new malware tracking software when she’d seen a car pulled over on the side of the bridge. The car’s headlights had been on, and in them, she had seen the silhouette of a man. She had assumed the man’s car had broken down, so she’d stopped to ask if he had called for help or if he needed to use her cell. The man had told her that a friend was already on the way to get him but thanked her profusely for her kindness.
She had gotten back in her car, driven home, fallen into bed, and promptly forgotten all about the interaction.
Dante obviously had not.
His car hadn't been broken down, he had been going to jump off the bridge, but her gesture had convinced him that not only did he not want to die but that there was some hidden meaning behind her stopping.
It had been dark, and she’d been tired, she had never seen the man’s face, but Dante must have gotten a glimpse of her license plate and used it to track her down.
“Up until that moment I wanted to die, but fate brought you to me. I was going to call you and thank you for what you did, but when I looked you up, I found out about your past. You tried to commit suicide too. I knew it was a sign. You saved me becauseno one had been there to save you. You saved me because you felt the connection that we had. Right here.” Dante pulled the car over to the side of the road on the bridge where their lives had first crossed paths. “This is the spot. This is where our souls became one. Before we go to the cabin, I thought we might spend a moment here.”
He released her hand and got out of the car, coming around to open her door for her and draw her out. Dante led her to the bridge’s railing and then stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist, holding her tightly against his body.
Samara briefly considered ripping herself from his arms and throwing herself over the railing down into the river below. That had to be better than living the rest of her life as this man’s captive, pretending to love him until she said or did something that set off his temper and he killed her.
If it wasn't for Michael, she might have done it.
But he would be looking for her, he wouldn’t give up on her, and she couldn’t give up on him. He had promised to keep her safe, and he’d said that he loved her, she just had to hold on to that. He was coming for her, she knew he was, just like she knew he would never stop looking for her.
“Your perfume,” he murmured, “Lavender. I knew as soon as I smelled it. We’re meant to be together, it’s our destiny. I will love you forever, my beautiful, sweet princess. Neither of us was wanted, but from here on out, I pledge my love and loyalty to you. I am yours for all eternity, and you are mine. I won't let anyone take you away from me ever again.”
She shuddered, and it had nothing to do with the snow falling on them. The only thing that was ever going to free her from Dante’s grip was death.
*****
1:42 P.M.
Dante was in heaven.
This was exactly what he had been dreaming about since last summer—standing with the woman he loved in his arms, surrounded by the scent of lavender, where their love affair began.
“Thank you, Samara, for saving me and for loving me,” he whispered in her ear. He felt her shudder and tightened his hold. She felt it too, the powerful connection between them that had only grown now they were together.
They were going to be so happy together.
Stopping here was an important step for them, but he couldn’t wait to get her to the cabin. It was only another hour away from here. They’d be there by about two-thirty if they left now, they could have a late lunch, maybe go for a walk in the snow, then they could curl up in front of the fireplace and enjoy each other’s company.
“We should get back in the car, you’re not wearing a coat, and it’s snowing, I don’t want you to get too cold.” He ran his hands up and down her arms, warming her, he couldn’t wait to get her home and start spoiling her. Starting with an early Christmas gift.
“Dante Sundry, let go of Samara and get down on your knees, hands behind your head.”
The voice startled him, and he spun around, bringing Samara with him.
