Page 84 of A Beautiful Crime

All I will ever give her is truths, no matter how brutal or kind.

She will never be deceived or manipulated. Because those who are are pawns. And Carina will never be a pawn, certainly never mine.

“I have one question before I decide whether to join you for dinner.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Am I a prisoner here? Have I traded one gilded cage for another?” There’s a tremble in her voice despite her proud posture.

I point out, “That’s two questions.”

“And they both require the same answer,” she demands.

“You’re not a prisoner, Carina. You may come and go as you please. I don’t see you as an object to be kept, nor do I wish you to be.”

Something flashes in her eyes. Hope maybe. And it clenches the organ inside my chest. For her to hope to escape me. For her to hope for a life without me.

I close the distance between us yet again and her hand reaches out to stop me from coming closer. But I don’t stop until her hand makes contact with the plane of my chest.

“You’re not a prisoner, Carina, but if you think for one second that you can run away from me and I won’t tear apart this world to find you, then you are sorely mistaken.”

There’s another flicker in her gaze but I can’t decipher it. Her fingers then curl around the material of my shirt. To pull me closer or to push me away I have not a clue.

Her eyes hold me prisoner as she says, “I will never be free of you, will I?”

I run my knuckle across her cheek. Her eyes flutter close to the sensation. “Does this upset you?”

Her lips remain closed however her eyes reopen. And when they do I see the truth in them. The truth she’s afraid to admit. The truth that will set her free.

My hand returns back to its rightful place, collared around her throat. Her pupils widen with desire as her breaths change. “And so the truth will remain here.” I gently squeeze her throat and her skin flushes.

“An unspoken truth.” Her voice is barely above a whisper but I hear it as if she was screaming at me.

“For now.” I release her, again, and take a healthy step away from her. Then, extending my hand in invitation I ask, “Dinner?”

She stares at my hand for what feels like an eternity. It’s as if she’s searching for answers, answers I would gladly give if she only asked. But I know these answers she is searching for are truly hidden within herself.

She thinks taking my hand will be the beginning of her descent to darkness. And she’s right. I will lead her to darkness.But taking my hand will be the beginning of a new world. A world where she’ll no longer be the pawn but a Queen. A world where she sits upon a throne, not kicked beneath it.

Her hand slips into mine and I can’t fight how perfect it feels. A piece that has always been missing.

And now that Carina has taken my hand I intend to never let her go.

CHAPTER 16

Carina

I’ve accepted the hand of the devil and I can’t help but feel alive. It feels as if currents of electricity are humming beneath my skin. The pounding of my heart crashing against my ribs, wanting to break free.

There’s a dangerous thrill.

A thrill in taking his hand, a hand that fits so perfectly in mine, filling the missing piece, that leads me to darkness.

And as much as I want to fight it, fight him, myself, I find myself giving in.

There’s a sweet intoxication I can’t deny. And I am afraid one day I will no longer be able to resist it.

For tonight, just one night, I’ll allow myself a taste.

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