Page 88 of Saint

Kole’s teeth clash with mine, and it forms a rift in outer space. Something too big to make sense of and impossible to contain. His fingers wrap around the back of my neck, and he holds me to him. He makes my life his life and my body his home.

I’m panting as we pull apart. And he lifts his thumb to my cheek to brush away a tear.

I didn’t even know I was crying.

Everything is spilling out, and I don’t understand it. How I fear him—how I feel for him. How I’ll never be the same after this, and I don’t think I want to be.

“Thank you for stopping him,” I whisper.

Kole brushes my hair from my face. “I always will, Violet. I told you—I’ll do anything for you. You’re mine. And I’m yours.”

“That simple?”

“We’re anything but simple.” He cups my jaw in his hand and holds me close. “But tell yourself whatever you need to get through this.”

I press my lips together and fight back the surge of emotions clashing inside me.

“So, what now?”

“Liam was a traitor.” Kole runs his finger down the center of my throat. “And Declan’s going to help me prove it.”

“Before they arrest you?”

Kole shakes his head once, slowly. “Before they do worse.”

28

I've Lost It

Saint

Control.

Violet’s lips part for my tongue, and I’d like to think I’m the one who’s in control here. My hand wraps her throat to remind her I’m her air.I’m her life.

I could crush her windpipe without much effort.

But then she moans as her fingers roam over the secrets carved in my flesh. Her body shudders, and I tip her head back to kiss her deeper.

Control.

She doesn’t know she’s my first kiss as she sinks her teeth into my lower lip. But she makes me wish I could peel off my skin just so she could have been my first everything.

My fingers grip her throat tighter, and she loses her breath.

Just for a second.

Just for me.

Her eyes are beautiful when they’re bulging and filled with fear. But when I relax my hand, and her pupils dilate as she gulps for air, they’re even prettier.

I take her to the edge and then back again.

Control.

I lost it the moment I pulled Violet into my bed. Maybe even before that. Because if I’m honest with myself, I lost it when I slit Liam’s throat.

It felt so fucking good ripping open his neck after spending months watching him with her. Holding her hand and touching her. I’ve never wanted anything more than to paint his chest in his blood.

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