Page 165 of Never Die for a Sinner
I don’t want him to know the real me.
“Come on,” he says, his voice quiet and rough. He slides out of the car without another word, and he’s already at my door by the time I reach for the handle.
He holds out his hand, helping me out of the car, and I release it the moment I have my footing.
His touchburns, and for the first time, I’m realizing it’s not because I need him to fuck me.
It’s because I need him toloveme.
God . . . how pathetic.
I’ve fallen in love with Levi Cross.
The only problem is that he will never love me back, and that might be the hardest pill to swallow.
Not everyone you fall for is good for you. Just like not everyone you fall for will feel the same.
Sooner or later, he’ll realize and send me on my way. Just another statistic in the long line of women who thought they’d be different, and in the end, found out they’re nothing more than a number.
Levi leads me into the cabin and immediately crosses over to the fireplace. With the overcast day outside, the cabin is dark, but I don’t mind because it matches my mood.
When he’s done, he stands back and crosses back to the door, stepping back outside without a word.
I stare at the flames crackling in the fireplace, my feet rooted in place while a few stray tears manage to break free and slip down my cheeks.
I’m alone.
Gran’s gone. I’ll never get to hear her sing along to Elvis anymore. I’ll never hand out Halloween candy and dress up with her. She’ll never get to see me get married or meet her great-grandchildren.
She won’t exist in my life after this.
“Ava.”
I hadn’t even realized Levi was standing behind me.
I don’t care.
I think it’s finally hit me.
I turn over my shoulder, and his stare is dark as he watches the tears cascade down my cheeks.
“Gran’s dead,” I croak, my voice barely above a whisper.
And then I break down.
Everything I’ve been ignoring the last couple days finally hits all at once, and I can’t hold back anymore.
Pain, unlike anything I’ve ever felt, blooms in my chest, and my throat closes up when a sob breaks free.
Levi is by the door one second, and the next, he’s grabbing me around the waist, hauling me up into his arms.
I don’t want to cry on him, but I can’t help it. I sob against his chest when he sinks to the couch, and cling to him like he’s a life raft that will save me from drowning.
“Shhh . . . baby,” Levi breathes against my hair, unmoving as he holds me. “I’ve got you.”
I close my eyes, finally succumbing to the anguish, the dull roar drowning out everything else.
Levi doesn’t speak, even if I could have sworn I heard him say, “I’ll always have you.”
