Page 58 of Whispered Desire

Worried that a stray bullet hit her, I turn to throw my body on hers, but she’s already crashing into me amidst a gunshot blast. A grunt of pain whooshes from her lips, and immediately, I raise my weapon and kill the bastard who appeared at the end of the hall to block our escape.

The worst sort of familiarity descends as I roll over and cradle her head above the hard floor. Our positions mirror the fateful February morning when we met, and helpless rage pours through my veins.

Not again.

Why do I keep failing her?

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

ALLISON

I never wanted to get shot again.

But when the man with a raised gun peeked out from behind a cubicle wall, instinct took over, and I moved between Mathias and a bullet.

Like a magnet drawn to repel danger.

The only saving grace is this time I know I didn’t do it because I wanted to die.

I want to live.

I want to be with Mathias.

It just sucks that it may not happen.

Mathias gently lowers me to the floor, a panicked edge entering his voice. “Fuck, baby. Why the hell did you step in front of me?”

Now is as good a time as ever to admit it, I suppose.To let go of my last fear. To share my final secret. Who knows if I’ll get another chance?

“Because I… love… you.”

His hand circles my throat where I’m still wearing the heart necklace he gave me. “Je t'aime, mon petit ange. You don't get todie. I forbid it. You can't leave. Not after you tore my heart out of my chest and made it your own. You hear me,mon amour? You have to live because I’m not done loving you.”

Only Mathias would think he could control this and forbid me to die. I try laughing, but end up coughing instead. Blood splatters onto my glasses.

That can't be good.

“Stay with me.” Mathias's lips press harshly into mine. Bet he can taste the copper of my blood on his tongue. “Reste avec moi, s'il te plaît, ma douce. Je t'aime.”

Warmth seeps into my bones as everything becomes fuzzy. My heart slows and a calmness settles over me. All those times I secretly wished to die. Wished my pain would end. And now when I find happiness, my wish is granted.

It's not fair.

But I always knew I wasn't meant for a happily ever after.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

MATHIAS

She died.

Allison's heart stopped beating. Her lungs stopped breathing. She died right in my arms.

And took my entire soul with her.

“Come on, brother. We’ve got to get her to a hospital.” Luca hefts Allie’s limp weight into his arms while Jonah urges me to stand. The four of us rush down the stairs to the black SUV where Hugo has been waiting.

“What the hell happened?” he shouts, eyes widening after glimpsing Allie’s pale, unmoving form. “Oh, shit. Hang on.”

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