Page 154 of A Love Like Venom

Yet he is kissing my freckles in the most loving way. My heart warms from the display of affection.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to tell you, angel.”

I smile up at him. “Don’t be. We have each other now and that’s all that matters.”

His face turns serious as his hold on me grows stronger. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

And there it is.

The reminder of the harsh bitter reality that has been looming over our heads like a dark cloud.

I would be lying if the thought hasn’t crossed the back of my mind.

Caitlin’s threat comes rushing to the surface. She would turn me in for a reward. She’s that callous.

Razor is out there. He’s out there and he won’t stop until he has me.

If he ever does get his hands on me, by the hands of my sister or someone else what will he do once he has me?

A shudder wracks my body from the thought of being under his thumb.

“I know,” I whisper. There is no doubt in my heart he will do everything to protect me. This is a man who will move mountains if I wish it. A man who will have no problem walking through Hell to be with me. I don’t doubt him for a second. “The possibility-” I begin but he doesn’t let me finish.

“There is no possibility,” he tells me gravely. “He will never have you, Alice. You aren’t his. You’remine. And I fucking protect what’s mine.”

Unwrapping my arm from the back of his neck my hand comes to caress his face. He kisses my palm, an act he does often that I’m not sure he is aware of, before leaning into my touch.My thumb swipes against his now clenched jaw. The muscles in his body are tight with tension.

My touch helps ease the tension building inside him but only by a little.

There is a darkness swarming inside of him. One that can swallow him whole.

But I’ll never let that happen.

I fell in love with a man who is filled with darkness this is true but I also fell in love with a man who casts a light even in his darkness.

“Can you promise me something?” I ask of him.

“Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like what you’re asking of me,” he says with furrowed brows.

“Promise me you won’t die for me.”

His nostrils flare and his hazel eyes turn dark. “You can’t ask that of me,” he mutters through clenched teeth. “What the fuck kind of promise is that Alice?”

He goes to pull away from me but I don’t let him. I can feel the anger burning inside of him. “One that is going to save your life.”

“And my life means nothing if I don’t have you by my side!” He roars with raw emotion.

“There is no life for me if you aren’t in it!” I shout back at him just as fiercely. “You are the air to my lungs. The blood that flows through my veins. You are my home; Reed Carter and I’m not going to let you take that away from me.” My voice cracks.

His eyes soften. He pulls me back in his embrace as kisses the top of my head. “Nothing is going to happen, angel. Not to either of us,” he murmurs against my hair. He strokes my back comfortingly as I burrow my face against his chest.

“Then promise me,” I whisper. “Promise me you won’t die for me.”

I hear the grunt of disapproval from him. “You’re telling me you would do the same? That if the situation was reversed and my life was at stake that you wouldn’t die for me?”

I stay silent.

The words choked in my throat.

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