Page 124 of Stitches

Her colorful eyes darted around the room, like she was looking for an escape. There was no escape from me. Ever.

I took her chin in hand and made her focus on me as her breathing became faster, notifying me of an incoming panic attack from her.

“Sirena. I love you,” I said as gently as I could. “If there’s someone else, you’re really going to need to tell me because if I find out on my own, I will kill him and make you watch while I do it.”

Her lips parted, and she shook her head at me.

“No one,” she rasped. “F-Friend.”

“Friend?” I raised a brow at her. “That’s still a no-no, baby. Who was the friend?”

“Please. I-I,” she stammered, tears springing to her eyes.

“What?”

“Confused,” she finally whispered. “I’m confused.”

I nodded, trying to remain calm. How the fuck she could be confused about anything made me want to shake her violently because hadn’t she seen what we were willing to do for her? How much we loved her? How much we fucking cared? We’d renovated an entire fucking attic for her, so she had her own space. We’d risked our lives. We’d agreed to let Asylum get closer. We let her see Bryce. Stitches had been hurt. Sin, fucking Sin. Goddamnit.

“Are we suddenly not good enough for you?” I asked, knowing I’d completely fucking lose my mind if she said no.

“I love you,” she said, staring me right in the eyes. “So much.”

I exhaled, drinking in the way she looked as she said it. So much certainty. So much fierceness.

“Are you cheating on me, specter? On us?”

Her lip shook and she looked away from me.

“Sirena,” I seethed, forcing her to look back at me as I took her face in my hand. “Answer me.”

“No,” she said, a tear slipping down her cheek. “I’m not. I choose.”

I frowned at her. “What does that mean?”

“I choose.” She patted her hand over her heart. “I choose.”

I studied her pretty, tear-soaked face. Something was fucking wrong with her, and she wasn’t letting me know it all.

I had no idea what she was talking about, but I chose to focus on her words, telling me she was faithful to us.

Maybe I needed to take things a step further.

“We never really publicly claimed you,” I said softly, brushing a wave away from her face. “We never showed them who you belonged to.”

She frowned at me, her body trembling slightly.

“I didn’t want to fuck you in front of everyone to make a point, but perhaps that’s what’s needed.”

She twisted her fingers in my black button down, her eyes wild. “No.”

I pressed a finger to her soft lips. “Shh, specter. I choose too. Remember that.”

She visibly swallowed before pressing her lips against mine. I didn’t kiss her back, my curiosity getting the better of me. I wanted to know how far she’d go for me. How much she really wanted me.

She let out a hiss of frustration when I remained motionless beneath her. She kissed me again to no response.

“Dante,” she whispered urgently against my lips. “I love you. Forever.”

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