Page 90 of Lords of Ruin: Savage

“It’s my wedding day.”

Silence. Then a slow, bitter chuckle. “I know.”

Of course he knows.

“I can’t—” My voice cracks. “I can’t do this, Cast. I don’t know what to do.”

There’s another pause, and when he speaks again, his voice is softer.

“Yes, you do.”

I shake my head even though he can’t see me. “No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do,mi amor.” His voice is raw now, like it’s taking everything in him to say this. “You’ve always known. You just have to be brave enough to listen to your heart.”

Tears blur my vision. My heart slams against my ribs.

I press my lips together, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. My pulse is a frantic rhythm, a war drum pounding beneath my skin.

“Then come get me.” My voice is barely a whisper, but I know he hears me.He always hears me.

Cast exhales, slow and measured, like he’s forcing himself to stay in control. “I can’t.”

My breath hitches. “Why not?”

There’s a pause, and then?—

“I’m in Fuji. ”

The words land like a punch to the chest. I lean back against the door, gripping my phone so tightly my knuckles ache.

“Fuji?” I echo, my voice shaking. “As inJapan?”

A low chuckle rumbles through the speaker, but there’s no real humor in it. “That’s the one,corazón.I didn’t want to be anywhere near you on your wedding day. I wanted you to make the decision yourself.”

I close my eyes, frustration and desperation tangling together inside me. “You are thirteen hours away.”

“I know.” His voice is quiet, edged with something bitter. “If I wasn’t, do you really think you’d still be hiding somewhere, wondering what to do?”

“How do you know I am hiding?” I whisper.

“Because I know you. You are hiding, hoping I will be driving to you right now to tell you no.”

My throat tightens. Because he’s right. If Cast were anywhere near me, I wouldn’t still be here. He would’ve had me in his arms before I even had the chance to call.

The thought makes my head spin.

I swallow hard. “And Damien? Where do I hope Damien is, since you know me so well?”

Cast lets out a slow exhale.“He’s ten minutes down the road.”

My stomach flips violently. I blink, my breath catching in my throat. “He’swhat?”

“He’s waiting for you.” His voice is monotone as he speaks. “Like he always has been.”

My fingers tremble around the phone. Damien—cold, ruthless Damien—ishere. Not halfway across the world. Not bound by an ocean and a twelve-hour time difference. Damien is right there ready to steal me away.

“He’s waiting,” I repeat, barely able to form the words.

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