Page 123 of Through the Water

Marked.

I was still breathing hard when we finally broke apart, my mind floating lazily somewhere above my body.

Killian’s eyes returned to mine. “Move in with me.”

“What?” I mumbled, certain I’d misunderstood in my foggy state.

“God, Ari. You are so soft and sweet. No one has ever known how to take care of you; to protect you. No one’s ever loved you the way you needed, and it shows. So, don’t go back to your father.” His lips brushed over my scar. “Stay here—let me take care of you.”

I gaped at him, until I realized he wasn’t joking. Killian wanted me to live here. With him. No more sneaking around—no more walls.

“Yes,” I whispered, quashing the fear in my chest. Tristan and the church couldn’t hurt me.

Not anymore.