Page 41 of Lords of Ruin: Savage

"I missed you."

Vincent exhales sharply, like he wasn’t sure I’d say it. Then, in one swift motion, his arms wrap around me, pulling me against him. His lips crash into mine, hungry and desperate, and I don’t fight it.

I melt into him, my fingers digging into his shirt as he deepens the kiss. His hands move to my waist, gripping me tightly like he’s afraid I’ll disappear. I don’t think I could if I tried.

The past months of anger, longing, and frustration burn between us, spilling into every touch, every movement. He walks me backward until my back hits the wall, his body pressing into mine as his hands slide up my sides.

When he finally pulls away, his breathing is heavy, his forehead still resting against mine.

"Ask me again," I whisper, my voice shaky but sure.

Vincent’s lips curve into a slow, wicked smile. "Oh, I will."

Then he kisses me again, and this time, I don’t pull away.

“But not now.” He whispers against my lips.

“Vincent.” I sigh, pushing him away, a scowl on my face.

I stiffen, glaring at him. “You can’t just kiss me like that and then put everything on pause.”

Vincent’s smug smile lingers, but there’s a hidden intonation behind his eyes. “Patience, sweetheart.” His thumb grazes my bottom lip, his voice a low rasp, teasing and full of restraint. “I want you to be sure.”

I scowl, heat rising to my face. “Iamsure,” I snap, pushing his hand away. The air between us is thick, charged with weeks of unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

His expression shifts, the amusement in his gaze dimming just enough to reveal a sharper appearance beneath it. “Then why do you sound like you’re trying to convince yourself?”

The words strike a nerve, but before I can fire back, something flickers in the corner of my vision. A tiny, crimson glow?—

A laser dot.

My pulse stutters. It hovers over my chest, steady, unyielding. A hunter’s mark. Everything slows, the weight of reality crashing down on me all at once.

Vincent sees it, too. His knowing look vanishes, replaced by a feral reaction. His body tenses, muscles coiling like a predator about to strike. His eyes meet mine for a split second, dark and urgent—Run.

I don’t get the chance.

Vincent moves first, a blur of motion as he lunges forward. “Willow,down!”

Then—

Bang.

The gunshot rips through the night like a thunderclap. The walls tremble with the force of it, the sound bouncing off every surface, rattling my bones. His body collides with mine, and the force of it sends us sprawling onto the floor. The air rushes from my lungs in a sharp gasp.

For a moment, there’s nothing. Just the deafening ringing in my ears and the crushing weight of Vincent over me. Then—warmth. Sticky, hot—too much, too fast.

Not mine.

Vincent shudders above me, his entire body jerking violently. A ragged breath leaves his lips, sharp and uneven. And then he goes still.

My heart lurches.No.

I don’t think—I just move, flipping us over. My hands fly to his side, pressing down hard.Too much blood.It seeps between my fingers, staining my skin, dark and warm. His shirt is already soaked through.

“Vincent,” I choke out, my voice breaking as I shake him. “No, no, no—stay with me.”

His face is pale, lips parted as he tries to breathe through the pain. His lashes flutter, and for a brief second, his eyes meet mine. They’re unfocused, but there’s still awareness there. A stubborn conviction.

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