Page 193 of Ink Deep Devotion

Dash

We’re still broken, but that’s nothing new. Mila and I have always been. We were missing parts, but now we have each other to fill those vacant holes.

It’s only been a few hours since she’s been in my arms again. Sometimes I blink, and I’m angry with her. Another blink, and I want to drop to my knees and beg for forgiveness. Another, and I hear my inner guilt telling me I should leave because I will only hurt her. Another blink, and the monster inside of me wants to trap her.

I thought this would go one of two ways: either she would refuse to look at me, or she would break down and accept her fate. I never dreamed she would forgive me and want to love me again. I have a second chance I very much don’t deserve, and I will spend the rest of my life making it up to her.

She wants to help people. That’s fine.

If she wanted to burn down the world, I would do it. All for her.

I would do anything for her; Titan offered me freedom, okay, so he forced it down my throat. He’s got no idea I’m turning him down. I’ll discuss that with him later.

I would do anything to ensure she stayed by my side, even biting my tongue as she told me all the details about her time apart from me, all about some lady named Camilla.

It’s clear to me Camilla tricked Mila. She took a page from my book, made Mila feel strong and tough, and taught her how to fight so she could use her. But my little fox was wiser this time. She tried to kill the hunter.

I’m so fucking proud.

I’m so fucking furious she risked her skin to save us.

Mila tucks her hands under the table, finding my clenched fingers as she holds them. She just finished telling my brothers her story. I had to endure hearing it again. I’ll never push her away or force her to resort to risking her life again.

“Camilla wanted Damian?” Titan rubs his jaw.

Mila nods.“Yes, Camilla wanted Damian and this girl. I don’t know how they relate to the man she loved. I wish I found out his name.”

“You did perfectly.” I slip my hand onto her thigh.

Nova peels her boots off the table and reaches for a bag of sweet and sour candy. She chews it so loud I can barely hear my thoughts. When Nova first saw Mila today she spanked her ass.

“You’ve been a naughty girl,” Nova said, then grabbed Mila and hugged her.“I’m so proud.”

That’s Nova King for you, demented, devious, and deranged.

“We’re missing something. What else did Camilla say about the guy who scorned her?” Dante says as he tugs at the collar ofhis shirt. It’s then I notice the fading bruise on his neck. I lift a brow, which he sees. It has him tugging on his collar higher to hide the hickey.

Who the fuck is he with?

“I told you everything Camilla said. She thinks this guyisThe Rites of Passage.”

“Bullshit,” Anders grunts.“We are the rulers, no one else.” He grins as he raises his ax and slams it into the wooden table.

“What the fuck, Anders!” Cillian snaps.“This table has been in my family for centuries.” He glares at the ax that has sunk into the wood. Anders buries it so deep he has to stand to pull it out.

Anders swings the ax, pointing it towards the empty fireplace.“What?” He jokes,“This castle is cold as fuck. I thought, why not chop some firewood and start a fire, since you are too cheap to pay for heating.” He swings the ax again, this time taking a rather large chuck out of the table. He grabs it, grinning like a toddler as he tosses it into the old wood-burning fireplace that looks like it hasn’t been lit for decades.

“You fucking prick!” Cillian slams his fist on the table.

“But you love me.” Anders swings the ax again.

“Stop!” Cillian glares at Dante.“Tell him to stop.”

“Tell me to stop, Daddy,” Anders provokes.

“Anders,” Dante sighs.

“Anders, sit the fuck down before I shove that ax up your ass.” Nova throws her bag of candy at his head.

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