Page 141 of Ink Deep Devotion

Yes, Nova is a loaded gun who is still pissed. Her plans for revenge didn’t work out as she had hoped, but she stayed in Titan’s bed, sleeping with him and not smothering him with her pillow.

She loves him, and he loves her. As odd as their love story is, it’s going to have a happy ending. I just know it.

It makes me jealous, but I want that for Nova. I want her walls to soften so someone can touch them again. I’m a hopeless romantic who wants everyone to have a happy ending because I can’t.

The smell of wet paint and music combine as I enter my art class. The very last person I anticipate seeing is standing at their canvas, paintbrush in hand, painting.

As far as I can tell, Blaze is completely safe and sound. As if sensing me, Blaze stops painting and looks at me with regret. My shoulders fall as I walk toward him with my guards a few steps behind me.

“You’re still alive,” I mutter, dropping my bag at the easel.

He licks his lips.“I shouldn’t have done it.”

“So why did you?” I tilt my head up, attempting to meet his gaze, but he shies away.

“I didn’t want to. I value our friendship.”

“Who made you?”

He meets my gaze with his green eyes.“How do you know someone made me?”

“You’re a silly buffoon, but you’re not an idiot. You know we’re just friends.”

He grabs his brush and glances at my guards.

There’s my answer.

“Dash?” I whisper as I face my canvas. I don’t speak as I boil over with so much bitterness and resentment.

Dash actually did this. It’s not enough to take away my hopes and dreams; he had to try to take away my friend.

He truly wants me to be alone in the cage he has made for me.

That...is the final blow. I feel face down in the dirt. I've reached my lowest point, and I'll make sure he knows what this feels like.

Blaze shrugs. He’s scared.

“I’m sorry.”

“Not as much as I am. I should have refused.”

“I’m happy you didn’t.”

What did Dash expect? Was it a test to see if I would accept the lips of another?

I drop my brush but don’t hear it hit the ground over my pounding heart. I want to run wild and free like I did when I rushed away from dinner with my father and Dom.

Look how that ended.

“Mila?” Blaze reaches out to touch me. A guard steps closer. My rage intensifies with each shallow breath. I can’t get enough air. My lungs and my world start to tip as my sight narrows.

Taking my last breath would be less painful than what I’m enduring right now.

???

“A panic attack,” the university doctor informs my guards. Her hair is pulled up in a tight bun, and her white coat is crisp and clean. Instead of smelling like antiseptic, the university medical center has a spa-like scent.

I remember the smell when the guys rushed me here after Dom stabbed me. It functions as a full-blown hospital with a surgery room just in case a student here needs emergency surgery like I did. Believe it or not, it happens frequently. The students here are desperate to do stupid things before they graduate and have to fall into line.

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