Page 45 of Tangled in Red

“Sleep, cariño. I’ll be right here.” He brushed a stray lock of red hair from Brett’s forehead.

“Stay with me?” Brett’s hand emerged from the covers, reaching for him.

Diablo toed off his own boots and shed his shirt before sliding into bed beside his mate. He gathered Brett into his arms, mindful of his injuries. Brett immediately curled into him, head resting over Diablo’s heart.

“Love you,” Brett whispered, the words slightly slurred with sleep.

Diablo’s arms tightened around him. “I love you too, little bird. More than anything.”

He felt Brett relax against him, breaths evening out as exhaustion finally claimed him. Diablo stared at the ceiling, listening to the steady rhythm of his mate’s heartbeat.

Brett was safe. He was home, in Diablo’s arms where he belonged. But the road ahead wouldn't be easy. There would be nightmares, fear, moments where the trauma reared its ugly head.

But they would face it together. Diablo would be there for every step, holding his mate, soothing his fears, reminding him that he was loved beyond measure.

“Descansa, mi amor,” he murmured into Brett’s hair. “I’ll keep the monsters away. Lo prometo.”

Outside the room, he heard the muffled voices of his pack and knew they’d returned.

His family. His mate. His world, all under one roof.

Diablo closed his eyes, letting the steady puff of Brett’s breath against his skin lull him into a light doze.

El Diablo had found his heart in a fiery redhead with a stubborn streak to match his own. And he would burn the world to ash before letting anyone take Brett from him again.

Chapter Eleven

Brett woke with a start, heart pounding, throat raw. The nightmare clung to him like a second skin, Rico’s cold eyes boring into his. Clawing at the sheets tangled around his legs, Brett struggled to sit up, panic rising in his chest.

Strong arms encircled him from behind, pulling him back against a solid chest. “Easy, hon,” Diablo murmured, his voice rough with sleep. “You’re safe. I’m right here.”

Brett sagged into the embrace, the frantic beat of his heart gradually slowing. He turned, burying his face in the crook of Diablo’s neck, breathing in the comforting scent of his mate. Leather and spice and something uniquely Diablo.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, embarrassment creeping in as the nightmare’s grip loosened. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”

Diablo’s hand rubbed soothing circles on his back. “Don’t apologize, cariño. Not for this. Never for this.”

Brett nodded, not trusting his voice. He focused on the rise and fall of Diablo’s chest, the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath Brett’s palm.

They stayed like that for long moments, Diablo’s presence anchoring him, chasing away the last tendrils of fear. Brett tilted his head back, meeting his mate’s eyes in the dimness of the room.

“Thank you,” he whispered, tracing the line of Diablo’s jaw with his fingertips. “For being here. For loving me.”

Diablo turned his head, pressing a kiss to Brett’s palm. “Siempre, mi amor. Always.”

Brett shifted, straddling Diablo’s lap, needing to be closer. He leaned in, capturing his mate’s mouth in a slow, deep kiss. Diablo’s hands settled on his hips, thumbs stroking the sliver of skin above the waistband of his boxers.

Heat built between them, chasing away the last of the nightmare’s chill. Brett rocked forward, feeling Diablo’s hardness against his own. A low growl rumbled in Diablo’s chest, his grip tightening.

“Brett,” he breathed against his mate’s lips. A warning and a plea.

“Need you,” Brett whispered back, nipping at Diablo’s bottom lip. “Need to feel you.”

Diablo’s control snapped. He surged forward, flipping them so Brett was gently pinned beneath him on the mattress. His mouth trailed hot, open-mouthed kisses down the column of Brett’s throat, teeth grazing the juncture where neck met shoulder.

Brett arched into the touch, fingers tangling in Diablo’s hair. He tugged impatiently at his mate’s boxers, needing skin on skin. Diablo obliged, kicking the fabric away before ridding Brett of his own.

Sensation exploded across Brett’s skin as Diablo’s hands and mouth seemed to be everywhere at once. Calloused fingers traced the dips of his ribs, the jut of his hipbones, igniting sparks in their wake. Diablo’s eyes flashed amber in the darkness.

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