Page 76 of Ink Deep Devotion

Another step.

I can see his features better now. The bruise on his jaw, a faint reminder of the fight club he and his cousins attend, is barely visible against his sharp cheekbones and watchful eyes.

“They’ll strip you bare and pillage everything you have before they kill you,” He whispers in misery, his shoulders shaking, biceps bulging, his mind clearly replaying the source of his torment.

Is that what he’s scared of?

“You think being tied to you will harm me?” That’s the root of his hate. Relief jolts through my heart. It wasn’t totally what I did. This isn’t just anger that I moved on when he left.

He rolls his eyes, then bends down and grabs my sketchbook before he shoves it into my bag.“Walk.”

“Look at our past, Dash. People tried to hurt me long before you came into my life. You’re living in fear.”

“Walk!” He growls.

“You’re scared one of your enemies will catch me then kill me.”

“Shut up!” He yells, glaring down at me.

I close the distance with my hand, reaching for his bicep. He flinches my touch off him.

Finally, I have an answer to his stubbornness. It’s fear, and you know what? I can’t guarantee that it won’t happen.

How can I fix that? Can I force him to enjoy the days we have together and not live in fear?

I grab my bag from his hand, making sure to touch his fingers so he will remember my touch when I leave.

“You don’t have to worry about an enemy killing me,” I state slowly as I cup his cheek, looking him dead in the eye. He doesn’t shake me off this time, allowing my touch.

When I push up on my toes, his nostrils flare, his eyes close, and what appears to be peace washes over his face.

I want to kiss him, but I won’t.

He’sgoing to make the next move. I just need to taunt him enough.

My next words are stated with a clear confidence that is rarely possessed by my tongue.“You’re doing it yourself.”

Chapter 27

Dash

The terror of seeing her die afflicts my mind.

There is no cure.

It dominates me night and day, demolishes my thoughts, turning every second of my life into a rabid nightmare.

Mila pushes up on her toes so gracefully, with not one wobble or loss of balance. She may not dance anymore, but every step she takes is still like a ballerina emerging on stage.

She’s figured it out, knows my deepest fears, and now she will use that against me.

Her lips come closer to mine as they part, ready to try to seduce me.

I close my eyes. I’m tired. Exhausted.

I’ll let her kiss me. I know that’s what she’s about to do. Just one kiss. One second not filled with concern about her, but rather a moment of satisfaction.

I should stop her. We’re out in the open for fuck’s sake. All my efforts of making the world think I hate her, and here I am, hoping she rebels, fights me, and kisses me.

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