Page 44 of Cast Stones
Now that justice has been served, it’s time to return the Divine Disciples of God to its rightful place.
After my third circle around the familiar rundown cabin, I drop the can in my hand and inhale, trapping the breath in my lungs as I complete my task.It’s done.I know, because my lungs don’t ache anymore. The thickness that used to hang in the air is gone. The soiled ground breathes a sigh of relief. Even the grass wilts beneath my boots as if it knows its time on Earth has come to an end.
Our mission is nearly complete.
Exhaling roughly, I climb the broken steps leading to the door to my salvation, only to pause when I catch sight of two trails of crimson-stained tears dripping from the doorknob.
A red ribbon.
“Do you want me to catch it for you?”
Startled, she turns, her long blonde hair swinging across her face. “D-do I know you?”
“Not yet. I’m Luca.” I risk moving closer to extend my hand.
“Madeline,” she says, accepting it. “But my friends call me Madi.”
“Madi,” I whisper, running the blood-red velvet ribbon through my fingers. “My Madi. Mycara mia.” This is her final gift. Her offering to me and our new life together.
I didn’t have to catch it for her this time. She caught it herself and then laid it at my feet.
Untying the ribbon, I wrap it around my hand and enter the cabin, my heavy footsteps sounding like thunder in the sparse room.
“Took you long enough.”
I follow her voice, my cock turning to steel at the sight of her. She’s sitting on the bed—our bed—completely naked, her legs demurely crossed, and her arms braced behind her.
“Dying takes preparation,cara mia,” I say, moving closer.
Her heavy-lidded eyes fall to the ribbon wrapped around my hand, and she smiles. “I see you found my present. Do you know what it means?”
“Yes.” We’re inches apart, the scent of her perfume casting a spell over my thinly-held self-control. “The question is, my sweet rose, do you?”
Her smile fades. “Of course, I—”
Before she can answer, I’m on her. Dropping the ribbon onto the mattress, I wrap my hand around her throat and force her to her feet. Her pulse jumps under my grip, only fueling the fire. “It means you surrender yourself to me completely, as I’ve surrendered to you. It’s a promise that can never be broken,cara mia. Not by separation or by death. We are bound together for eternity. My blood runs in your veins as yours runs in mine.”
She doesn’t fight me or claw my hand. As I hold her life in my hands, she simply lays her palm against my heart. “I surrender, Luca. I gave myself to you the moment you brought me to this cabin. You were my captor and my tormentor—the sweetest pain I’ve ever known. When I left you, I lost my way, but not anymore. I know who I am, and I know who you are. I know together we’re powerful and unbreakable. I’ll kill anyone who tries to separate us again.” Her jaw tightens under my hold, fortifying her words.
“Not if I kill them first.”
“Why do you get to have all the fun?” The corner of her mouth curves up into a wicked smile.
“You want to have fun, Madi?” I ask. “You want me to show you the real meaning of that sweet pain you recall?”
“Luca…”
I release my hold on her throat. “Turn around and put your arms behind you.” She doesn’t hesitate in obeying my command. Presenting her back to me, she crosses her wrists and rests them right above her ass. Her submission is just like her, a beautiful rose laced with deadly thorns. We both know this is an equal balance of power, but for now, she’s laying it all in my hands.
So, I make sure hers can’t take it back.
Even the moon hides its light as I bind her wrists behind her back with the red ribbon. “Trust, my love,” I whisper in her ear. “Our trust allows us to kill without remorse. It allows us to bleed without fear. And now, it will allow us to fuck without limits.”
“What are you doing?” she asks, her body tensing as she plays her role to perfection.
“Testing you,cara mia. All faith must be tested.”
“Are you going to hurt me?”
