Page 29 of Corrupt Vows

My throat hurts. The black hole grows bigger underneath me. I need to get away. Now.

Nico’s massive hand cups the side of my face and presses my head against his shoulder, blocking out the world.

“Hush, Serenity.” His cologne filters in through my panic. “I got you.” He holds me tighter, protecting me from invisible foes. “You’re okay.” His gait changes as he starts up the stairs. I wring the front of his suit in my hands.

He kicks the door to my room shut with his heel, sits on the bed, and wraps both arms around me. The first tear escapes my lashes.

I don’t want to cry. It’s been years since I’ve had a meltdown, and I’ve never had a big, hard, warm body to curl up against.

Thick fingers tilt my chin up. Shock flows through me at the concern on Nico’s handsome face.

Usually, he reserves his soft expressions for his sisters. He’s never looked at me this way.

Years’ worth of scowls, disapproval, and dismissive glances flip through my mind. I lose it. A sob wrenches from my chest and tears stream down my face.

“You’re safe, Serenity. I’ve got you,” he promises as he tucks me close and rests his cheek on the top of my head.

I purge until my head swims and my chest aches. When my tears slow and I manage my first deep breath in what feels like forever, Nico cups my face between his gigantic hands and wipes my tears with his thumbs.

“Better?” he asks.

“I’m fine,” I lie on reflex.

“No, you’re not, but I’ll allow the lie for another minute. Take a few deep breaths and calm down for me,principessa.”

Instincts demand I flee, but his gentle caresses of my face lulls me into an exhausted calm.

His broad shoulders catch my eye.

“Can I…?”

My courage dries up, so I close my eyes and pretend like I didn’t speak, but Nico urges me to continue, so I ask, “Can I lean against you again?”

He gathers me to his chest like I’m the most precious thing in the world. My tears return, but these flow silently down my face.

I wish it were real. I wish he cared for me. My future spans before me, and all I see is a lifetime of loneliness.

“You don’t even need to ask, Serenity. Cry on my shoulder whenever you need. Crawl into my lap whenever you want. My arms are yours; use them however and whenever you need.”

My breath hitches. I lift my head and meet his intense grey eyes.

“Why?”

“My answer is the same as before. There is no why. It just is.”

Fresh tears gather on my lashes, but I don’t want them to fall, so I blink and swallow the lump in my throat.

“Where else are you hurt?”

His question makes no sense. I blink again and tighten my fist in his shirt as I search for whatever connection I’m missing. His eyes darken.

“I’ll kill him,” he snarls.

Alarm snaps through me.

“No! You can’t!”

“Like hell I can’t. Hehurtyou, Serenity.”

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