Page 36 of Inferno

“Prove it,” I say. “Prove to me that I can trust you, that what you’re telling me is true.”

His face falls. “How?”

That is the million-dollar question.

“I don’t know,” I reply honestly. “But if it’s all true, then I have to believe there’s a bigger picture than what’s right in front of us. And if that’s the case, you’ll find a way to give me the proof I need.”

He looks so lost and forlorn at my statement that I almost take it back. Then his eyes light up and he dashes outside.

While I wait for him to return—he is returning, right?—I can’t help but think about how much of a field day Dr. Bolten would have with me if I told her all of this.

Less than a minute passes before Inferno strides through the door, kicking it closed behind him. He’s carrying the rose and extinguisher that was left next to his Harley at the skating rink, and he thrusts them at me.

“Here’s proof.”

I refuse to take the items from him. “Proof of what?”

“That I’m not your stalker,” he explains. “This was left by my bike while I was with you. There’s no way I could’ve put it there.”

I think back over the evening and realize he’s right. He never left my side, not even to use the bathroom.

But still…

Sensing I’m not convinced, he pulls an envelope from his pocket. “And there’s this,” he says, handing it to me.

“What’s that?” I ask, again, not taking what he’s offering.

“It was inside the box. I haven’t read it, but something tells me that your stalker and I don’t talk alike at all. Read whatever’s in there, and you’ll see.”

“I can’t,” I whisper, fear and unease tinging my words, and Inferno’s entire demeanor changes.

“Emmy, look at me,” he commands. When I don’t, he lifts my chin with his knuckles, forcing my eyes to his. “It’s just words and things. I promise you, I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“Yeah, love, I can.”

“How can you be so sure?”

And why am I so willing to forget about everything he’s told me and trust him?

“Because I was sent to you. A god sent me to protect you. That doesn’t happen for no reason.”

“And what’s the reason?”

One corner of his mouth lifts. “The word soulmates may have been mentioned.”

“Soulmates?”

He shrugs. “Whatever we are to each other, you can trust me.”

Inferno leans forward and presses his lips to mine. The kiss is feather-light, but it packs a powerful punch.

All of my misgivings and worries fade away into oblivion. I have no doubt they’ll come back out to play later, but right now, I don’t care.

Inferno makes me feel. He makes me forget. He makes me… crave.

19

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