Page 78 of Beautiful Revenge

But when I open my eyes, I find him watching me with a softness that’s never been in his eyes before.

“I don’t like seeing you like this,” he admits. “So… vulnerable. Weak almost. Scared. You’re not the Aria I married.”

“You barely know me, Finn. I get scared like anyone else. Don’t make me feel bad for it. Please.”

“I won’t.” There’s a gruffness to his voice that startles me. “I don’t like that Sal hurt you the way he did. That he’s made you so afraid.”

“I never thought I would be desperate to see you again but when I was strapped to that table, all I wanted was for you to come save me.”

“No one has ever wanted me to come save them before.”

“I guess there’s a first time for everything,” I say.

“Guess so.” Slowly, he takes my hand in his, interlacing our fingers together. “I never tell anyone how I feel. I could lose my man card.”

Despite the pain in my body, I still manage to roll my eyes. “Showing emotion is better than not.”

“Coming from the girl who has one of the hardest exteriors I’ve ever seen.”

“I just cried in front of you.”

“I know. But when I met you, you acted so tough. It was refreshing to have someone stand up to me. Normally, people are too scared to face me. But you faced me head on and I respect that. It’s partly why I wanted to marry you. To capture the girl who could stand up to me the way you’ve done.”

Holding hands with Finn feels so normal, it’s almost scary. It shouldn’t feel normal. I shouldn’t want this.

And yet, he’s the only person I want right in this moment. My father wouldn’t understand. He’d protect me, yes, but he’d also stifle me. As for Dante, he’d check on me then leave to go kill Sal.

But Finn is making sure I’m ok in a way that isn’t making me feel stifled or alone.

For once… he’s acting like a husband.

“I wasn’t sure if you would come for me,” I admit.

“Haven’t I shown that I would kill anyone for you by now?”

“I’m not sure that’s a good thing,” I say, even though I feel a tingling of happiness inside of me. Finn fought to save me. I know Dante is out there trying to save me right now but it’s different when it’s a man who isn’t your father figure. It’s different when it’s the man who’s your husband.

“I would do anything to save you now, princess. I don’t know what the fuck I’m feeling. I’m not sure I should be feeling it. Maybe it’s ok. Hell, my brother would probably say it’s a good thing. I just know that I want to protect you.”

“That’s ironic considering you kidnapped me.”

“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

“Not at all.” I stare at our entwined hands for a moment before saying, “Thank you. For saving me. You didn’t have to. But you did.”

“I didn’t have to kidnap you but I did. I didn’t have to force you down the aisle but I did.”

I frown. “Why are you saying that? I’m trying to thank you right now.”

“I’m just pointing out that what’s happening between us is fucking messy and complicated.”

Don’t I know it. But staring into Finn’s eyes, all I feel is warmth. I never thought that would be possible. Sal kidnapped me to drive a wedge between me and Finn. He wanted to hurt me and he wanted to hurt Finn.

But what ended up happening is I feel more close to Finn than I ever have with anyone in my whole life before.

That’s terrifying.

It’s also exhilarating.

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