Page 75 of Ink Deep Devotion

Damian’s grin dips.“You and I both know he doesn’t hate you.”

“Do you really think it’s working?”

“He’s hanging onto his insanity by a thread; he’s starting to think correctly. He knows he can’t live without you, Mila. Thus, the need to walk you to class tonight.” Damian looks down the hall.“I should get going. Try to act surprised when his pretty face greets you at the door.”

Damian’s halfway down the hall when I shout his name. He glances over his shoulder.“Are you seeing someone?” I ask.

His face hardens.“Is it that obvious?”

“Is that a bad thing?” I joke as I drop my art bag and take two steps toward him,“Who are you seeing?” I question. I’m a little hurt he didn’t tell me.

His eyes fall to the floor as if I just gave him devastating news. He shakes his head.“No one.” He mutters as he turns and leaves.

???

I lean against the wall of my dorm, waiting for Dash to come. I’ve checked my face in the mirror ten times already.

“This is insane.” Waiting for him is doing what he wants. I need to ripple the waters.

I swing my bag over my shoulder, open the door, and proceed to walk to my evening art class alone. I haven’t been able to walk on my own for so long that my confidence has suffered. I’m halfway to the art studio when I stop and look across the campus to the other dorm building.

Dom’s building.

My breath shakes at the memory. My bag slips off my shoulder, and I set it next to my feet. I think about the fun times Dom and I had.

Was it all a lie, or was part of it real, lost in his twisted game?

My palm presses to the scar on my stomach. The image of Dash’s face, watching me bleed, keeps replaying in my mind. His eyes that day reflected a silent terror that still clings to the depths of his soul.

How can I convince him to be fearless, not to be afraid to love me? How do I promise him I won’t get hurt when it’s out of my control? That loving me won’t hurt me, but help me. I wish he could just love me openly.

A tear slips from my eye. Is it a happy tear? Grief filled?

I don’t know.

A sudden exhale behind me makes me turn, sending my sketchbook crashing to the floor. Dash stands there, his blonde hair seemingly rivaling the glowing moon, while his presence threatens to overtake the sky. It’s breathtakingly cold and stunning.

“Don’t ever leave without one of us again!” He snaps, and then his eyes spot my tears before they move to the dorm room behind me.

He thinks I’m crying over Dom.

“I…” another tear frees itself.“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” I inhale a slow, sharp breath.“I attract men who want to kill me.” I snort a vulnerable chuckle.

“And ones who want to keep you alive,” He mutters.

“Kiss me,” My whisper is carried to him on the gentle breeze that ruffles the large oak tree near us.

“Go to class.”

My next gulp is hard.“Make me,” I challenge him.

His head tilts slowly, eyes tracing my face and then my body to his memory. His fist clench so tight that some of his knuckles crack.“You’re a fool fighting a battle you can’t win.” He steps closer, raw and assured.“I don’t want you. Not after you slept with him.” He spits, his eyes flickering back to the dorm Dom lived in.

He’s trying to hurt me. Don’t listen to it.

“I might be a fool,” I step closer, tipping my chin up,“bu…but at least I fight with honor and purpose.” My eyes water with bitter tears.

“There’s no room for honor in our world, little fox. Do you think a hunter will catch you and then let you go? A fun game of catch and release?”

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