Page 78 of Kortlek

I know that she’s alive.

Cove’s words ring in my ears. Wyatt’s only bargaining chip is Rose — alive, at that. Without that, he knows he’ll never get to me, and he knows that by killing her, he’s practically putting a bounty hunt on himself.

“Do you have any plans on what you want to do once he’s brought to your knees?”

I lift a shoulder. “Maybe. Although, I’m not sharing. It’s too early, and I don’t want to jinx anything.’’

Cove nods. Softly, he takes a strand of my hair, the white part, and twirls it between his fingers, then tucks it behind my ear, his touch lingering on my cheek. He’s staring deeply into my eyes, making me forget for a moment that we’re in a public setting.

“You know,’’ he murmurs. “I don’t think I’ve told you this — but this hairstyle suits you. It looks very beautiful on you.’’

“Oh? Just my hair is beautiful, and I’m not?”

He rolls his eyes with a deep, throaty chuckle. “You’re the most beautiful woman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. And you’re all mine, bunny.’’

“Isn’t it funny how you just… decided that?”

“Let me be frank with you,’’ his hand drops from my cheek and rests on my thigh again. “From the day you confessed your feelings to me, I wanted you. Fuck, bunny, you were like a goddamn vice. I couldn’t get enough of you, yet I couldn’t have you, either. It was pure fucking torture having to be near you and not be able to touch you. I don’t think you’ll ever realize just how much I fucking love you and how much I’d burn this world for you.’’

My lips part ever so slightly, my heart pounding loudly. The honesty in his voice and the raw emotions on his face bring out the deepest affection out of me. Cove changed me in more ways than I can count, but I am not the only one who’s changed.

A year ago, Cove wouldn’t be caught dead speaking about his emotions and feelings so freely. A year ago, he wouldn’t even be speaking at all. Just like I changed, he changed with me. My perfect, twisted, dark paradise all in one person.

“Cove,’’ I whisper, placing a soft kiss on his jaw. His hand tightens around my thigh, threatening to leave a mark. “I don’t think you need the confirmation, but for what it’s worth — I’m yours. All yours. I have been for a very long time.’’

“I know, bunny,’’ he whispers back. The raspy voice makes something twitch in the pit of my stomach, the arousal slowly building within. “Back in Italy… When I told you to marry me, I meant it. The first thing I’m doing once Wyatt’s been dealt with is putting a ring on your finger.’’

I nod.

“You better,’’ I laugh softly.

His proximity, his scent, and his entire being are something I never want to lose. Having him so close to me brings out my deepest, most sadistic tendencies that he’s accepted wholeheartedly. If I’m a monster, he’s the demon.

I’m not sure when exactly the switch in me happened and when I accepted this change, but I love it. He makes me feel alive; he makes me feel worthy and capable. Most importantly, he makes me feel free. He’s the reason I know I’ll make it out of this alive, because he’ll be here, waiting for me.

The man of my dreams.

The moment’s over when I hear someone clear their throat behind us. Cove tenses slightly, and I turn around. A wide grin spreads across my face, and I jump out of the chair, wrapping my arms around my uncle, hugging him tightly.

“There’s my favorite troublemaker,’’ he laughs, kissing the top of my head, slowly releasing me from the embrace.

Uncle Niko is mom’s younger brother, and the best uncle a person could ask for. Growing up, he was my number one supporter in any mischief I had planned, including the time when I snuck into his car when I was around eleven.

He was going on a mission, and let’s just say I witnessed all the gory details. I should’ve been scared, but I was more excited than anything else. Mom and Dad were not. I was grounded for a month. Niko was grounded for four months, and he was prohibited from spending time alone with me for years after that.

“And who’s that?”

Niko’s eyes snap to Cove, and his brows narrow dangerously. He straightens up, glaring at Cove, who is very much unbothered. He sips on his beer, the bored, dull expression I’m used to lacing his features.

“He’s… Cove.’’

“Oh, Cove,’’ Niko mutters. “How could I forget.’’

I sit back next to Cove, and Niko takes a seat across from us, arms folded in front of his chest. I suppress a laugh as he tries to intimidate Cove. Slowly, his attention shifts back to me, and the smile reappears on his face.

“You said it was an important matter,’’ Niko says. “Is everything alright?”

I shake my head.

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