Page 103 of Ruthless Bonds

I’d never known love could feel like this.

Consuming.

Intoxicating.

She was worth it all.

Every second of hell I’d gone through my entire life, all the madness and mayhem had led me straight to her. And now we were exactly where we were both supposed to be.

My phone pinged, and I glanced at the screen.

Jameson.

Now he was something I hadn’t expected. When Alora had told me that not only was he alive, but he was in the mafia, I almost couldn’t believe it. But then all the pieces started to click into place. That night with the Cruel and my father, we’d had no idea there were people being held captive in that home. Otherwise, we would have freed them all. Instead, though, the Cruel decided to have them all executed in a fit of rage after being exiled.

I had no qualms with Jameson, so long as he didn’t hurt Alora. Otherwise, I’d have to kill him, of course. He was determined to get his vengeance against the cop who had ruined his life, and I’d offered to assist. Because the Cruel was going to pay for everything he had done here, and I wouldn’t stop until he took his last breath.

“You better tell whoever is calling you to fuck off,” Alora murmured against my chest. She lifted herself up, staring at the phone. “Jameson? OK, don’t do that then.”

I chuckled, running my fingers through her hair. “I heard an interesting story the other day.”

“And what might that have been?” She rested her chin on my chest, looking up at me.

“Katia claims you attempted to stab her with the ice tongs. Threatened to kill her?” I quirked my eyebrow.

“Pfft. That’s insane.” Alora’s cheeks heated as she tried to contain her smile.

“So it is true.” My heart filled with pride at the little psycho in my arms. I’d known she was born for this life, and she loved to prove me right each and every day.

She traced a heart on my chest with her nails,goosebumps rising on my skin. I grabbed her wrist, holding her still. “You’re supposed to be resting,milaya.”

“Hm, how am I supposed to rest when you drag me into your arms and hold me close? You know you’re like a furnace. A hot, sexy, delicious furnace.” She wiggled her eyebrows and laughed, the sound making my heart swell.

Her laughter turned into a shriek when I rolled over, pinning her underneath me. “Always trying to tempt me, Mrs. Zokrova. You know I can’t resist you.” I leaned down, pressing my lips softly against hers. “I love you. Don’t you ever forget it.”

Our love was inked in blood and darkness. Two twisted hearts crafted from mayhem. We were the Devil’s favorite love story, the bookmarked page he had to read over and over again.

And our story was far from over.

Epilogue

Two Months Later

Alora

I typically hadn’t celebrated my birthday in the past because it was the anniversary of Jameson’s “death.” But now, I had every reason in the world to celebrate.

Kreos had put together a small party for me of just close friends and family. He had really outdone himself with the decorations, transforming the conservatory into something out of a fairytale. The black crystal chandeliers were draped in roses and ivy, and my portfolio photos were beautifully displayed around the room. He’d even set up a photo area with a photographer to capture every single moment.

For once, my birthday wasn’t a terrible reminder of my loss. It was all about the new family I had gained.

Of course, Kreos had gone crazy with the presents, even though I’d told him not to. I was utterly stunned when I opened the deed to the abandoned church. It was mine now, and he said we could restore it to anything I wanted. That wasn’t even the wildest present, though. He got me a summer villa in Italy and a rare camera from 1955, once owned by the renowned photographer Maria Rilloka, and we were going to work with a Manhattan realtor to find a building so I couldopen the gallery of my dreams.

But I had my own gift for him, which I saved for last.

Jameson sat down next to me, bumping his shoulder against mine. “You’ve got that look on your face.”

“What look?” I chuckled as I took a sip of my juice.

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