Page 174 of Never Fall for an Angel

“Mila.”

Something about the way he says it makes my heart melt. Even mostly asleep, he knows it’s me.

“Shh . . .” I breathe, brushing the hair off his forehead. He doesn’t release my hand, his fingers locking mine in a death grip, so I pull the blanket up and slip onto the lounge beside him, curling up against his chest.

“I’m filthy, baby,” he murmurs groggily, his eyes still closed and his voice barely audible. Like he can’t fight sleep, but he also can’t fight his need for me.

I can’t keep my heart from beating awkwardly and the soft smile from tugging at the corners of my lips at the old nickname, even though I know I shouldn’t read too much into it.

“I know.”

It’s strange . . . holding him the way he used to hold me until I fell asleep. He’s always been this immovable force. The one thing in this world that I could count on to not crumble when I can barely hold it together at the seams.

Now, I’m realizing that even the strongest have their weaknesses, and Bella was right. I think I’m his. God knows he’s always been mine.

“Come here,” I whisper, tugging at his shoulder. He lets out a deep groan that rumbles through his chest, reaching for me. When he wraps his arms around my waist, burying his head in my chest and inhaling deeply, like he’s missed me as much as I’ve missed him, I realize nothing could make me leave this bed right now. The world could burn down around us, and I’d happily watch it go up in flames.

I curl into him, our legs entwining and my fingers rubbing down the hard ridges of his back until his breathing evens out again. I force myself to focus on that because if I let myself wander, I’ll realize how completely and utterly in love with him I am, and nothing good could ever come from that.

Not with his secrets. Mine. The danger that seems to be lurking around every corner. His undeniable need to push me away while simultaneously holding onto me with an iron grip.

His murderous, psychopathic brother.

Tomorrow, things will go back to normal. We’ll be at each other’s throats, and he’ll see that I’m not worth all this trouble.

For now, I just hold him, letting him sleep after whatever hell he went through, and try not to let my heart get too wrapped up in the way he clings to me like I’m the angel coming to drag him out of it.

CHRISTIAN

My heavy eyes open, and I blink at the bright light streaming through the window.

“Fuck,” I grunt, clenching them shut again and reaching for the space around me, finding it empty.

I sit up, my head spinning with panic.

“Mila!”

“I’m here,” she says softly, and my eyes lock on her in the chair.

Jesus fucking Christ.

I blow out a breath, scrubbing a hand over my face.

“Are you okay?” she asks softly, hanging back.

“Come here.”

She doesn’t move.

“Mila, I don’t give a fuck about any of it right now. Come here.”

I expect her to argue, but instead, she carefully pads over to me, hesitating when she reaches my side.

I reach for her, taking her hand and leaning back into the lounge, pulling her into my lap. She comes, her legs on either side of mine, and I just hold her.

Just fucking hold her because I’ve spent so long wishing I could.

We’re silent for a while, and neither of us move.

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