Page 274 of The Invite
“You will.” His voice is thick with emotion. “For her.”
As I watch him console her, I’m ashamed I ever thought he could kill Amber. His body is laced with the same protectiveness I feel toward Scarlett.
Wolf approaches them and wraps his arms around the other two. Together, they guard Capri like a shield. Providing her strength. She will live. Because they won’t let anything happen to her.
Nessa shakes in my hold.
I keep her gaze averted as I guide her to the adjoining room. I release her so she can face me. Tilting her head, she asks in a small voice, “Is it over?”
“It is, little prey.” Caressing her cheek, I smile. “No more Anonymous.”
CHAPTER – 69
Nessa
My chest feels hollow.
Like I’m dead inside.
I don’t know what to feel.
Shouldn’t I be relieved? Victorious? Hopeful? Something? Anything but feel this desolate hole inside my ribs. A restless energy makes my skin itch.
I need a shower to wash off the memories of tonight.
I lift my head from Augustus’s back as he slows down the bike. I make out my street as he turns toward it. My house looming in the distance. When he pulls into the driveway, I bite down the urge to request he keep riding.
Something is soothing and therapeutic about Augustus taking me for a ride. I feel untouchable, strong, and optimistic.
Once he kicks the stand, I slide off the passenger seat and take off my helmet.
He mirrors my actions with a masculine grace, giving my heart a kickstart, telling me I’m not dead inside. Like I was feeling from the moment we stepped out of the castle. Its enchanting beauty forever transformed into a horrific nightmare.
Neither of us says a word as we climb onto the porch and unlock the door. Once we’re locked inside, I throw my arms around him and greedily inhale his stormy scent. Even though it has the lingering smell of the blood we spilled tonight.
Three lives I’ve taken.
I’ve become what my monsters yearned for me.
A killer.
Hoisting me up with one arm underneath my ass, Augustus takes me into the living room and heads for the couch. Lying down with his head resting on the arm, he keeps me on top of him and massages my spine in lazy circles.
“I need to check on Scarlett, honey,” he says after a beat. “Then I’m all yours.”
A selfish voice inside me says to ask him to stay. Before I act on it, I force myself to let him go. Besides, I need alone time to sort out the other dangers in my life.
Only then will I completely be his.
I straddle his lap as he sits up. Before hopping off, I quickly seal my lips to his.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?” he asks once I pull back.
“I might have saved her but she still doesn’t like me, August,” I tell him sadly. “Right now, she just needs her brother by her side. Take care of her and then come back to me.”
“She’ll come around one day, you know.”
“I know.”
