Page 36 of Hollyhocks

Then, I saw Fitz on the table looking so afraid. He wasn’t in the position to see such violence. I don’t think he would have been able to handle it. He was already so worried about the mark. I couldn’t add to his stress.

He will always be first in my life. His feelings. His mental health. His physical health. Anything and everything in between are my first priority. I’d never subject him to witness death.

It’s why I’ll always kill behind his back. I’m thoughtful like that.

He’ll never have to witness such horrors. I’ll protect his peace while taking pieces of his soul as mine.

I’m in the backseat of the truck, leaning my chin on the right shoulder of his seat. I know he can feel me. He keeps looking in the rearview mirror, narrowing his eyes as if he sees something but isn’t sure.

“I’m right here, Doe Eyes,”I whisper into his ear.

The truck swerves off the road. His big brown eyes are round in shock as they meet mine in the mirror. He is looking at nothing but I’m staring into lovely honey pools.

“What the fuck? What the fuck is happening?” he yells, pulling off the highway.

The truck bounces as we hit a ditch. I giggle as I tumble out of my seat, nearly hitting my head on the ceiling. It’s like a rollercoaster.

A rollercoaster.Have I been on one of those before? A faint memory tickles my mind, but I can’t place it. The faces are blurred and so is the background. All I can hear are musical notes from a carousel.

Maybe one day Fitz can take me. We can make our own memories. Oh my gosh, what if we could hold hands through the park? We can get ice cream cones. Oh, oh, oh! We could share one and my tongue can just accidentally slip into his mouth.

Sigh.

What a dream.

“Is there someone in the car with me?” Fitz voice trembles as he stares out of the windshield.

I sink back into the seat, not wanting him to know I’m here. He isn’t ready.

He flips his blinker on to get back on the highway when someone pulls in next to him with their window rolled down.

“You okay?” the man shouts from the other vehicle.

I sneer from the back window, wanting Fitz’s attention on me again.

Fitz rolls down his window next. “I’m fine. Sorry about that. I thought I saw something dash in front of me. My eyes were playing tricks.” My mate grins, flashing the charm that makes so many people like him instantly.

The kind stranger chuckles, his laugh grating on my nerves. My talons lengthen, wanting nothing more than to slice his throat so he will shut up.

“I get that. My eyes do the same. Alright then, have a good day.”

“Hey, you too! Thanks for stopping man.” Fitz hangs his arm out the window, slapping the driver’s side door with his palm before pointing to the guy as he drives away.

When we are alone again, I lean forward, closing my eyes to inhale his scent. He smells so fucking good. A hint of sweat, a dash of oil that must just be embedded in his DNA from working as a mechanic, and then a whole lot of me.

He reeks of being claimed. I love it. All I want to do is grip him by his hair, yank his head back, and bite him all over his lean body until he is begging for my cunt.

“It’s too early for all this wildness happening all at once.” He rolls up the window, puts his blinker on, and eases into a lane.

I decide to keep my mouth shut. I’d hate to scare him and cause him to wreck. What if we wrecked and he died? I wouldn’t be able to live. He is the reason I escaped Purgatory. He is the reason for my second chance at life.

I’m going to make sure he has the best existence possible. I only need a little bit longer before I reveal myself to him. Just a little more time to strengthen our bond so he won’t be able to leave me when he finds out the truth.

I’m doing him a favor. I’m saving him from being alone in a world that doesn’t deserve his kindness, his smile, or his genuine soul. I appreciate every single particle that makes him Fitz.

I came back to life for his love.

And I plan to live for all eternity making sure his heart is mine.

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