Page 236 of Shifting Hearts 1
“All of them?”
I nodded. “I tried. Over and over. Nothing. Let me go, Jace. I’m not her anymore.”
“So you want me to go back to pretending you don’t exist?”
“Jace, I fucked up, okay?”
“No. You didn’t.”
“Yes!” The word tore out of me. “Yes, I did. What don’t you get? I’m a monster. I used to kill because I loved it, because it thrilled me. I didn’t care who I burned. And there are still people out there who remember my face. They won’t stop if they find out I’m alive. Every single day I live with my ears tuned, hunting for whispers of other supernaturals nearby. That’s not living. That’s prison. And you want to be apart of it. No!”
“Then let me help.” His eyes softened, almost broke. “At least let me make sure you’re financially set.”
“I don’t?—”
“It’s non-negotiable. You’re here because of me. That truth will never change. Let me help.”
I swallowed, then gave a small nod. Anything to get out of here. Anything to breathe again. But even as I agreed, I knew. His voice, I heard it through desperate times. It lingered like a brand, a promise. At some point, he was going to lock on me again. My only defense was to drag it out as long as I could.
“Then it’s set.”He rose, and moved to the door, gesturing for me to leave. My chest felt tight as I walked toward it, every step sharp as broken glass. My fingers curled around the handle, pressing the lever down. The door cracked open, then shut again, pulled closed by a force behind me.
He spun me around, and suddenly his face was inches from mine. Horror flooding in as I realized too late. With Jace, it was always distraction. Always.
“Don’t,” I whispered, too desperate, too late.
His lips crushed against mine. I shoved, tried to push him away, but he was too strong. My fire could’ve ended it in a second, but this was the love of my life. He was going to see what I did, and he’d never forgive me.
So I gave in. I kissed him back, clinging to it because I knew this was all I would get. This kiss. This fleeting, aching moment.
The only piece of him I was allowed in this life.
My body finally answered the hunger I’d buried for too long.
His lips were hard, demanding, and I met him with equal force, clutching at his shirt like if I let go, I’d shatter. My breath tangled with his, a soundless plea for more. My teeth grazed his lower lip and his answering groan shot straight through me.
It was messy, raw, nothing like softness, it was everything we hadn’t said, every ache and every scar turned into fever. I wanted him closer, always closer, until there was no space left to separate us.
His lips tore from mine with a guttural sound, and suddenly we were falling, his fist still tangled in my shirt, dragging me down with him.
The look on his face gutted me. The pain, raw and unfiltered, carved across his features as the lock pass ignited. Once was already unbearable. Twice? It was a curse I’d never wished on him.
“I told you!” My voice cracked, sharp and panicked. “You never listen!” I ripped free of his grip, shirt tearing in his hands, and yanked the door wide. “Dom!”
Gabriella and Dom were there in a heartbeat. Jason’s ragged groans bled through the air, the sound of him choking back agony he couldn’t hide.
“Should’ve known you wouldn’t play by the rules,” Dom muttered, bitter. I should’ve known it too.
“He didn’t,” Gabby snapped, glaring at me.
“He’s going to despise me.” My voice shook as I stumbled back. “Nobody can love a monster.”
I bolted, taking the stairs two at a time.
“Hey, hey!” Gabby’s footsteps thundered after me.
“I need air!”
“You’re a vampire, Morgan!” she yelled, exasperated. “For once, stop moving your fucking feet. Please. Let us help!”
