Page 147 of Angel Of Darkness

He touched her heart.

But then, he’d done that from the beginning. Touched her heart, touched her soul, and marked her as his.

Pain blasted through her. The agony stole her breath and the last sound she made was the whisper of his name.

Then she saw paradise.

The sun set, and Nicole’s eyes didn’t open. Keenan hunched by the bed and kept his stare trained on her. He’d been there, watching, waiting, all day.

Open your eyes. Look at me.

She still breathed. Her chest rose and fell. Her heart beat.

He glanced down at his hands. The blood was gone now. Finally washed away. He’d held her heart in his hands. Her heart.

His fingers clenched.

“She’ll wake.” Sam’s voice sounded confident.

Keenan didn’t look at him. His gaze was back on Nicole. “I gave her my blood. She should have been up by now.”

“She will be.” Sam’s hand slapped on his shoulder. “Give her time.”

He didn’t want time. He wanted her.

The floor squeaked as Sam turned away.

Keenan reached for Nicole’s fingers. He smoothed his hand over her soft skin. “Sam, why did you fall?”

Things were clear to him now, and he wished he’d realized the truth sooner.

Maybe Keenan fell because he was favored. Sam’s words echoed in his head.

He hadn’t even realized how lucky he’d been. Nicole hadn’t been his temptation. She’d been his reward. He’d just needed to be strong enough to fight for her.

“Maybe I became a power-hungry jackass like Az,” Sam groused.

Maybe. But “maybe” wasn’t an answer. “The stories—they said you killed nearly a hundred men. Men who shouldn’t have died.” So long ago…

“Those bastards deserved death more than anyone I’ve ever seen.” From the corner of his eye, Keenan caught the ripple of Sam’s shrug. “Falling was a small price to pay in order to get them off this world.” He paused. “Wasn’t it a small price to pay for her?”

Yes. For her, he’d burn again.

“I thought so.” Sam exhaled on a long sigh. “Now I think you’re finally understanding this game.” The floor squeaked as Sam left.

Silence reigned and the minutes ticked by. The darkness grew heavier. And then ...

Nicole’s lashes began to flutter. He forgot Sam and leaned forward as he held her hand even tighter. “Nicole?”

Her lips curled into a smile even before her eyes fully opened. “I was dreaming about you,” she murmured and blinked slowly.

His heart raced in his chest and he kissed her. A quick, hard kiss. “You scared me.”

She shook her head and her hair brushed over the pillow. “I wasn’t leaving you.” So simple and sure.

His gaze searched hers. “If you had, I would’ve just followed you.” The angels wouldn’t have been able to keep him away from her.

“I know.” Her grin widened.

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