Page 105 of See You Soon
“This was a horrible accident Danny, it's not your fault. It's not. You need to let that go, you hear me? Despite what you think, you have to let him go. He made his choice. I know that for a fact."
"I could have stopped him. It's my fault your mother had to bury her own son. And now?" He pauses, hatred spewing off his tongue. "Another mother that gets to mourn her son. Death claimed another soul because we were too late.” Then he finally makes eye contact with me and I'm bracing myself for what comes next. "I don’t want ever to want to see you in a Warzone again.Seeing all this shit will catch up to you Ari. And I don’t want that for you.”
Tears start to fall down my cheeks as I blink them away. Danny doesn't move, he looks completely broken and I'm in shock at how he still manages not to let himself fall apart. Even in his lowest, darkest moments, he's still trying to figure out ways to protect me.
It doesn't take me long to realize he's talking about the other hostage. Violet's lover.Damon.My heart breaks and I'm at a loss. I don't know what to do. It all makes sense. Violet stopped returning my calls and texts,she's grieving.
All this stress and trauma is taking a toll on Danny, and I need to figure out a way to help him. Help him realize that things just happen and it's out of his control, despite what he believes. It breaks me knowing he puts so much blame and deathon himself.
He's been trying to kill himself slowly since his addiction started with alcohol. His career defines him. His need to always win and save people that need saving… it's drowning him.
"You have to let this go. Stop drinking yourself to death." I grab his hand and hold his palm onto my stomach.
"This baby needs you. They need all of you. I need you."
He looks away from me, his hand retreating.
“I loved my brother but he died because it was his fate!” I cry out. “I know my brother and he wouldn’t want this to be yours. To drink yourself to the point there’s nothing left.” I murmur.
I don't want to lose Danny. I'm praying to God that my words are getting through to him because I don't know what else will… if our baby and I aren't enough for him to change, I will let him go. I will let him go and never look back.
Danny looks around the room and he's lost in thought. He's fighting with himself. The horrible temptations. I reach out toward his face wanting to brush my hands against his cheek, but he stops me.
He picks me up, forcing me to straddle him and a sharp, harsh breath leaves my lips.
He lays me down gently onto his bed and he hovers over me, ensuring he doesn't push any of his weight on top of me.
"Ari, you should be running far away from me.” He pauses and brushes my hair from my face. His expression is emotionless and rigid.
"But even if you choose to leave, you will always be mine. Even if you decide to run, your soul is trapped within me and I’m never giving it back.” His eyes are glazing with demons.
I’ve never seen this side of him. He's gentle with my body and finally opening up to me… something I wasn't accustomed to. Tears are still falling out of my eyes, desperately trying to help him while I’m processing everything.
Chapter46
ari
Ican't move and I feel like I can't breathe. The details of the weight Danny holds on his shoulders are too much for me to bear. I can't imagine spending one day in his shoes,in his mind.
"I choose you, I don't care about anything else." I respond, looking into the eyes I love so much.
Danny has so many scars that carry beyond his physical ones and I wasn't going to let that curse me from loving him. Whatever is left of his sanity, I want it.
He looks at me and a low growl thunders inside of him. The sound drenches my inner thighs from the longing lust calling for him.
"My naïve little Cherry. My world will tear you apart. You're choosing wrong but I'm the selfish asshole who won't ever stop you from doing so."
His eyes move from mine and trail down to my mouth. His eyes are red and burning with desire. His lips fall onto mine with so much need I'm seeing twinkling golden sparkles while my eyes are closed and I'm just focused on feeling him.
Our kisses are hard. He's searching for any type of release from my lips, and I am too. Our kisses are not enough. His tongue is claiming mine I gladly let him dominate my mouth.
The way we kiss each other transports me into a haunted dream-like fairytale. We're waves from different oceans crashing into each other and the paradise is so dark I can't walk away from it. I don't want to.
"From now on, everything I do isn't for myself anymore." Danny backs away from me, holding my knee.
The realization that Danny and I aren't so different hits me. We're the same in some ways. I feel so stupid for not understanding this sooner. Both of us want to help people that need it. We're both trying to save people when we're having trouble liberating ourselves.
I sit up on the bed following him. This wasn't the type of love I had ever imagined myself having and I don't think I would be getting a typical happy ending. Diving into a journey with Danny scares me because his career holds so much uncertainty. At any moment, I could lose him like my brother.
