Page 86 of The Road to Ruined

But then I got out, and it wasn't a game anymore. I couldn't stop, and Sebastian said The Order could give me what I needed. If I obeyed them and I was loyal, they'd take care of me, and they'd hide me. I'd have a place and a purpose, and that was something that I could never have in the real world, where jail was my best-case scenario.

"This is my punishment," Declan says, shaking his head.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"They can't kill me, so they're going to take you from me. They're taking my family—all of my girls. And even worse, you're all choosing it. You're leaving me. You told them yes? You said you'd go?"

I nod. "After the wedding next weekend. I said I needed closure, and I wanted to say goodbye, but then, I'd go."

He's quiet for a minute, and I watch the wheels turning in his head, waiting. Then, he pulls himself off the floor and makes his way over to the refrigerator, pulling it open. "You want some water?"

"Sure," I say, shrugging. He pulls a water bottle from the fridge, removes the cap, and hands it to me.

"Has he been good to you?" he asks as I take a drink.

"Luca? Of course."

"No."

"Oh…you mean Sebastian?" It occurs to me that I probably shouldn't have told Declan his name; I hope it doesn't get him in trouble. "No," I tell him. "No, he's not good to me. He's…cruel, and he's hurt me. He hurts my feelings. He…" I pause, shrugging. "He doesn't consider himself to be human, but he's disturbingly good at acting like one, and he claims to care about me. He reminds me of you."

"But I sent you tulips, and you thought they were from him. That wasus, Teag."

I shrug, taking another drink from the bottle…but something is wrong.

"Are you in love with him, Teagan?"

I scoff. "No. No, I don't even like him."

"You're lying to me, baby," he says, kneeling in front of me. "But it's okay…I don't blame you. Listen to me closely, Teagan, because this is important: You can't tell him that you saw us. You can't tell him that we were here. You need to act like everything is normal, go to the wedding, and under no circumstances let them take you anywhere. Do you understand?"

"Wait, but…why would I need to do that?" I ask, slurring my words. "You're not…you're leaving me? Again?"

I try to stand, but find my legs unstable beneath me. Declan wraps his arms around me and pulls me into him.

"Easy, sweetheart," he says, picking me up from the ground and into his arms. He carries me through the kitchen and living area and back to the bedroom, laying me down next to Luca who, instinctively and without waking, wraps his arms around me.

Declan climbs onto the other side of the bed and moves in close to me, brushing my curls away from my face and kissing my lips.

"I'll never leave you, Teagan," he says. "But I need you to be strong for just a little bit longer, kitten, okay? It's just…we can't move well here. Getting this far was next to impossible, and if we take you out of the hotel you're supposed to be in, they'll know it was us. I know you still don't trust me; I know you're angry with me, but I meant it when I said I'd never let you go. When the time comes, I'll drag you away kicking and screaming if I have to, but I'd like it a lot better if you'd curl up in my lap."

It must have been the water. I can't move, I can't fight—all I can do is lie there. I blink, sending a silent tear rolling down my cheek, and he kisses it away.

"You're so beautiful," he says, smiling. "This is real; don't forget it. You're not alone—you're falling asleep next to two people who love you. You're completely safe. And Teagan, I do. I love you so fucking much."

My eyes grow far too heavy, and I allow them to close.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, kissing my forehead. "I'm sorry that you were right to be afraid to close your eyes. I love you, Teagan."

FIFTEEN

"Teagan? Teagan, are you in there? Open the door!"

I recognize the voice. My sister, Blakely, pounds on the door of my hotel room as I force my eyes open. Sunlight streams through the window, hot against my cheek, and I roll over to escape it. I feel sick…really sick.

Then, I remember last night, and my heart stops.

Fuck…oh,fuck.

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