Page 317 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

Gravity crushed me to the rocks.

I shivered.

A person could only take so much.

I couldn’t step into that arena. Not again.

I refused.

Warmth surrounded me. I blinked, and I was wrapped up in powerful arms.

John and Luka knelt next to me and hugged me like they could squeeze the fear away.

“Aran, listen to me.” John pressed his lips against my temple. “It’s only one more challenge. One more contest and you’ve survived.” He breathed harshly. “What’s been done to you is”—his voice cracked—“so fucked up. But we just have to play their game a little longer. And I promise you, once we’re free, we’ll hunt down the gods to get retribution, if that’s what you want.”

I pressed my head against Luka’s chest.

“But I can’t,” I said pathetically.

Luka said gruffly, “We can leave this place right now. You don’t need to do this.”

John and I stilled.

“Really?” I pulled my head back and stared into his hooded dark eyes.

Luka nodded. “Just say the word. And we’re gone.”

John had told him about the word on my back, and ever since he’d found out about it, he’d been falling all over himself to help me in any way he could.

John nuzzled against the side of my face and sighed tiredly. “Technically we could leave, but the gods will hunt her. It won’t be safe.”

“We’ll keep her safe,” Luka said fiercely.

My eyes widened.

The twins held me tenderly and casually offered to defy the gods.

The man crucified to the sacred tree flashed through my mind. John and Luka would risk that for me.

The choking sensation around my throat transformed into something warm.

Moisture welled in my eyes, and a tear dripped across the bruises and cuts that marred my face.

I blurted out, “I love you guys.” My face warmed with embarrassment.

I tried to hide my eyes behind my arm, but John pulled my wrists back so I couldn’t hide.

“Aran, look at me,” he said roughly.

Tentatively I looked up at him.

“I’ve already told you why I call you bestie.” John’s smile wobbled. “Because I love you, dude. I have since the moment I woke up to find you above me on the cot, choking me out. The moment you opened your perfect lips and blamed me for your violence, I was a goner.”

A watery laugh escaped my lips.

John pulled me closer. “I loved you when you were a pretty boy. I loved you as a breathtaking woman, and I love you right now, my little wounded warrior. I will always love you.”

Luka nodded silently beside him.

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