Page 95 of Beast

Luna gasps, her eyes widening in shock. “Oh my god, Blake! That’s terrifying and to have it happen for a second time.” She shakes her head. “I can’t imagine what went through your mind at that moment. How did you get away?”

I rub my temples, the stress of the last 48 hours hitting me. “Gaston tracked me down and negotiated my release. It’s a long story, but the guy who took me wanted access to something Gaston owns. There was a standoff but Gaston got me out safely in the end.”

“Wow,” Luna says, shaking her head in disbelief. “I’m so glad you’re okay. That must have been so traumatic for it to happen again.”

“Yeah it was really intense,” I reply. “Honestly I’m still kind of processing everything that happened.”

Luna stands and pulls me into a tight hug. “I’m so relieved you’re safe and back home,” she says.

I hug her back. “Me too.”

She breaks away and moves toward the kitchen. “Do you want a coffee?”

“Sure, thanks.” I move toward the kitchen.

“What about Gaston?” she asks before she makes it to the kitchen.

“What about me?” Gaston demands, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

Gaston’s strong arms wrap around me from behind, pulling me against his solid chest in a possessive embrace. A shiver runs down my spine at his touch, and I lean into him.

Luna turns to give me a questioning gaze. “Gaston and I are moving in together,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

Luna’s eyes widen in surprise. “Moving in together?” she echoes, her brow furrowing in concern. “But, Blake, are you sure that’s a good idea? After everything that’s happened...”

I swallow hard, glancing at Gaston. His jaw is set, his expression unreadable. “It’s what I want,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “I’ll still be covering my share of the rent for this place, and I might stay over at times when Gaston is Mexico, but…”

Gaston’s grip tightens around me, and I can’t help but feel a sense of security in his arms. Part of me is still terrified of him, of the power he holds over me. But another part, the part that’s grown to care for him deeply, yearns to be by his side.

“Are you certain?” Luna asks, looking unconvinced.

I nod, reaching out to give her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Yes, this feels right. Gaston and I, we love each other.”

Gaston’s lips brush the side of my neck, and I shiver. “I did tell you I’d win you over in your own country, didn’t I?” There’s a cocky timbre to his voice. “And look at you, wrapped around my finger.”

I glare at him over my shoulder, but I don’t feel hatred anymore. “I think it’s the other way around.”

Luna clears her throat. “I guess I can’t really say anything since I’m with Thiago.”

A deep voice calls from the kitchen. “I heard that, angel!”

I chuckle. “Yeah, where’s Kali?” I ask, my brow furrowing because I haven’t seen her in ages.

Luna’s expression turns serious. “She’s living with Matias now God knows where. Neither of them will tell us. They’ve completely disappeared.”

Thiago steps into the room with an apron on, and I almost want to burst out laughing. The man who was part of our kidnapping is standing there looking so domesticated. “I’m afraid when my brother doesn’t want to be found, he’s practically impossible to track down.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Either of you hungry? I’ve made enough Enchiladas to feed ten people.”

I bite my inner cheek, wondering if Gaston will agree. “I wouldn’t mind staying for some food.” I glance over my shoulder at him.

“If you want to stay, we’ll stay, baby girl.”

I can’t help but feel a bit uneasy following Thiago into the kitchen, Gaston’s strong arm wrapped possessively around my waist. It’s still so surreal to me that the four of us—me, Luna, Kali, and Alice—were all kidnapped in Mexico, only to end up entangled with our captors.

Thiago dishes heaping servings of his homemade enchiladas while Luna chats animatedly with him.

I can’t help but feel for Kali.

How can she love that monster, Matias?

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