Page 78 of Revenge

“The, ‘to a certain extent’ bit, which means you’re going to spy on me.”

“No, I’m not going to spy, but you will need a bodyguard; one who willalwaysbe with you. You will have my trust for the entire twelve months. Unless,” I scratched my jaw.

“Unless?”

“Unless you break that trust.”

The tension in the room shifted to something heavier.

“Andthenwhat?”

“You don’t want to know,” I replied. Hating that I had to threaten her again. An empty threat too. I just hoped she didn’t call me out on it.

What would you do if she betrayed you?

I saw the small tremor which ran through her body. It suggested that she believed me; thought I could do her harm in some way and that made me feel worse.

“Why would I marry you aftereverythingI’ve seen tonight?”

“Because you don’t have a choice. You’ve already given so many years of your life to the mob. What’s one more? Then you will be free.”

“How can I trust you?”

“You have my word,” I said, the weight in my gut almost painful.

I’ll make it up to you, I promise.

Ava’s eyes closed for a moment as if she was contemplating what little choices she had.

“You should get some rest,” I whispered, bracing myself as the urge to touch her charged through me.

As Ava lifted her chin, her head tilted to the side and her expression changed. Almost like she was suddenly curious, “Will you stay while I fall asleep?”

A silence stretched as my brow threaded, it was the worst thing she could have asked. That request hit me like a sucker punch.

“If you want,” I replied, attempting to cover my surprise.

Ava rolled away from me and moved to the other side of the bed to give me space to join her. Me, the beast. The one responsible for her torment.

Raking a hand through my hair, I slipped my trainers off, pulled the duvet back and slid in beside her, fully dressed. Her back was to my chest and she snuggled against me, her hair across the pillow beside my face. I could smell coconuts and something else sweet.

I remember when she was younger and came home in tears from school one day. That was the last time I had cuddled her. I never thought of myself as a cuddler but the sight of her tear-stained face had been too much. Then our relationship had been so very different.

“Your skin feels damp,” Ava whispered.

“I’ve just been working out. Do you want me to go?” I told her softly.

“I don’t care. It’s nice,” she murmured so quietly I almost missed what she said.

Tucking her head beneath my chin, I placed my arm around her waist, shuffling her further against my chest.

We fit perfectly, like a jigsaw puzzle.

How the fuck did she think she could come back into my life again and then just stroll back out of it. Like I could let her go.

I knew then that when she ran away, she took a part of me with her and now it was back. It wasn’t where it used to be but I knew I could work on that. Put the pieces back together, both Ava’sandmine.

Ava kept the light in my eyes.

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