Page 99 of Cruel Vows

Sean clamps a hand over the cut, but the blood still pools between his fingers. “You don’t have to do this. We’re going to get through it whether you can do it or not.”

I don’t think I can do this.

I have to do this.

Aiden looks at me before his eyes shut and his breathing becomes shallow. I don’t know if he’s still conscious, and at this moment, I can’t worry about it either.

Sean has to come first, and right now, if I don’t deal with his arm, he’s going to die on me.

Stooping down, I take the cool end of the brand. “I’m so sorry I have to do this. I’m so, so sorry. It’s going to hurt a lot.”

Sean stands and crosses the short distance to me. His hand hovers for a moment before it drops to his side. There’s steely determination in his eyes. “It’s going to be okay. You just need to hold it there for a little bit. Long enough to seal the wound. You can do this. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met. It’s one of the reasons why I love you.”

My heart collides with my ribs, the brand shaking in my hands. “You love me?”

He nods, drawing himself up to stand straight. “I do. Didn’t think it was possible. You drive me insane and I’m sure we spend nearly as much time bickering as we do fucking, but it works for us. I love it, and I love you, and I know that you’re going to get through this because that’s what you do. You get through things.”

“I love you too.” I place a hand on his cheek, feeling the rough stubble beneath my fingertips as tears roll down my cheeks. “You’re infuriating and impossible at times, but I can’t imagine getting through the rest of my life without you.”

Sean holds out his arm. “Do it and let’s get this over with. Then we’re going to get the hell out of here.”

“You need to lie down.” I nod to the ground. “This is going to hurt, and I don’t need you passing out while you’re standing up.”

He leans in, claiming my mouth in a searing kiss, the taste of salt mingling with the lingering tobacco.

We kiss until the air is stolen from my lungs and we both come up gasping for air.

Sean lies on the ground, grabbing one of the clean rags and stuffing it between his teeth.

As soon as he’s ready, he nods.

I press the brand to his skin hard, the sizzling sound of flesh and the horrible scent filling the room.

Hot rivers of tears stream down my cheeks as I try not to breathe, hoping that I won’t throw up from the smell of singed flesh.

It might not be the first time I’ve smelled it, but this is by far the worst.

Not once did I ever think I would have to brand Sean.

He groans, eyes rolling back in his head as his entire body tenses. His low groans send a shudder down my spine, making my stomach toss and turn.

Sean passes out, and for a second I wish I could join him. It has to be better than feeling the pain he’s enduring.

I drop the brand as soon as I can, the wound cauterized.

A sob rips from my body as I drop to my knees beside Sean, checking his pulse with shaking fingers.

He’s alive, but he still needs to see a doctor as soon as possible.

“I’m sorry.” I hold his face in my hands for a second before pulling the rag from between his teeth and tossing it to the side. “I’m so sorry.”

The door opens and Malcolm strides into the room. “You really shouldn’t apologize. Sean always gets what’s coming to him one way or another.”

Relief floods through me. “You’re here to get us out of here, right? Where’s Royce? Is he with you? He has to have noticed something’s wrong by now.”

Malcolm laughs and shakes his head, tucking his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “Why would I help you when everything I’ve been working for is within reach?”

It feels like a punch straight to the gut, the air forced from my lungs as I look up at him. “You bastard.”

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