Page 44 of Kortlek

“He’s dying,’’ Cove claims. “There’s not a scenario in this life where Wyatt Chambers will live to see another birthday. I’m asking you how you want it to happen. I can do it for you. But I won’t take away that choice from you. If you want to sever his head, I’ll deliver his unconscious body to you.’’

A soft smile tugs on the corner of my lips. “You’d let me land the last blow?”

“Always,’’ he responds without missing a beat. “Yes, he had Jackson stab me, but I don’t care about that. I’d let myself be stabbed another dozen times if it meant letting you have your moment of revenge. Lord knows you deserve it.’’

I lean forward, pressing my face against his shoulder. His hands immediately wrap around me, pulling me closer. I inhale his scent, my nerves seemingly calming down in an instant. The sensation of warmth spreads through my body, and I’m left there, calm and relaxed for what seems an eternity.

“Do you think he’ll come for me?” I mumble against his flesh.

Cove’s body tenses before it relaxes a little. “It’s a possibility, yes. If his goal is to get revenge for being banished from New York, he’ll start with you or your family.’’

“Then, he’ll start with me. I highly doubt he’d even be able to get within ten feet of my parents.’’

“I won’t let him get to you, bunny,’’ he mumbles, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. I melt under the simple gesture, a smile on my face.

“So, I’m inclined to ask,’’ I pause, distancing myself from him, looking at his face. “What exactly happened between you and Arlo?”

He breathes out a small laugh, raising an amused brow at me. The bruise on his eye is visible, but it’s in a healing process, fading into a yellowish shade. He shakes his head slightly, subconsciously touching the bruise.

“Let’s just say this was a warning.’’

“Oh?”

“Mhm,’’ he hums.

“From what I’ve heard, you let Arlo hit you. What’s that all about? You don’t let people hit you around.’’

“It was deserved, wasn’t it? I did fuck his sister’s throat,’’ he smirks. “Though, for some reason, he didn’t want to listen to details.’’

A laugh slips from me. “Would you imagine that? He didn’t want to hear how his little sister sucked off his best friend. What a shocker!’’

Cove grins. “We came to a mutual understanding.’’

“Do tell,’’ I say, propping my elbows on my knees and leaning forward slightly.

“I get to keep you as long as I don’t hurt you.’’

“What am I? An object to keep?” I snort.

“No,’’ he’s quick to respond. “You’re just…’’

“Just…’’ I urge him to continue.

Cove’s never been good at expressing himself with words. He pauses, his mouth pouting slightly as he mentally goes elsewhere. He’s thinking of how to put the emotions he’s feeling into words, and I don’t have the heart to tell him I was just joking.

So, I wait. He’s been patient with me, and he deserves the same in response.

“I feel a very possessive urge to keep you safe at all times,’’ he concludes. ‘‘It’s like all of me wants to cage you away from all harm and keep you safe and sound, where I could keep an eye out for you at all times.’’

“Someone sounds obsessed,’’ I tease with a small grin.

“Obsessed is an understatement. You make me mad. The thought of you being touched by anyone else makes me want to spill blood. The thought of you not being by my side at all times makes me go insane. Obsessed? Yeah, I’m obsessed. Obsessed with the way you talk and laugh. Obsessed with the way you moan my name. Obsessed with having all of your attention on me and me only, bunny.’’

A breathless sigh leaves me, my heart hammering against my chest. I didn’t expect he’d actually say it outright. Two years. I’ve been waiting for two years to hear him say it, and now that he has, it feels maddening.

He cups my face, eyes darkening a shade. “Tell me what you want, bunny,’’ he whispers, his hot breath fanning my face.

“I want to forget, Cove,’’ I whisper back.

---