Page 132 of Your Coffin or Mine
“Yes,” I blurt. Because I cannot do this, and I am sorry. My heart aches in my chest, a knot forming in my throat that threatens to choke me. I wish with all that I am that I could just leap into his arms and hope for the best, but there is no way I can let Frank Stein go after my family.
His nose crinkles. “You’re lying,” he snarls.
I wrap my arms around myself and shuffle backward, squeezing my eyes closed.
“Why are you lying, Aubrey? Is it because of Frank?”
The name sends tremors through me, and I turn away to the windows, but fingertips flutter on my waist, rising just slightly to my ribs.
My breath hitches. “Vlad,” I warn.
“Shhh.” I feel his breath on my bare shoulders before his cool hands land on my back, sliding over my skin. “Tell me you don’t want to be with me, and I’ll go.”
My pulse stutters.Don’t make me say it.
“True mate bonds are for life, but if you truly do not want to be with me, I will respect your wishes.” His tone is serious, and the last bit sounds like it was forced from his lips. “I know Frankdid something that night,” he murmurs at my back, making me stiffen in response.
I feel his lips on my shoulder as he sniffs lightly at my neck before a cold hand brushes my nape.
My emotions are so tangled because the selfish part of me wants to tell him everything. I am so tired of being scared of thinking the world’s most powerful man wants me dead, all because I fell in love with Vlad. He’s a vampire, and I have no idea what Frank Stein is, but living in fear is not on my to-do list. I can at least hear him out and tell the truth, trusting that he won’t let Frank hurt me or anyone else.
“I didn’t want to leave.” My voice is a whisper, and his hands tighten on me. His earthy scent fills my nose as he pulls me into his arms, and I want nothing more than to lean into him.
“Frank sent it. Didn’t he?”
My stomach somersaults and I nod my head, unsure of what to say.
“He will never come near you again. I swear it.”
“Is Frank Stein your friend?”
“Former friend,” he bites out. “He will never hurt you, let alone be near you again unless you wish to see him. I swear it.”
I twist my hands together and swallow. “Who’s stronger? You or Frank?”
His brow furrows at that. “He is strong, but I am stronger. What did he tell you?”
My shoulders slump. “He told me he would go after my family if I tried to contact you. I’ve been so scared.”
“He will not touch you or your family. Again, I swear to you.”
Tension leaves my body, my shoulders sag, and I finally turn to him. “When I didn’t hear from you, I thought maybe you changed your mind about me,” I croak.
I’m in his arms, a hand tightening around my back as the other cups my face to his chest. “I have waited so long for you, somany years that you cannot even fathom. I confess I had given up entirely until you walked through my door.”
My head swims as I stare, wide-eyed, completely floored by his words.
He tips my chin up. “I will never want anyone but you for as long as I live, and I’m not sure if you know this, but that is areallylong time.”
A happy cry leaves my lips when he kisses my temple and then bends to pepper kisses over my face. “Vlad,” I whisper.
“Aubrey, my heart,” he says, and I notice the scared look in his eyes, vulnerability stark in his expression.
“Kiss me.” I put my arms around his neck. “Please.”
His lips descend on mine, and I’m immediately put under his spell, my body lighting up like it’s the fourth of July and this vampire is holding all the fireworks. I thought I imagined what he could do to me with only a kiss. I pull away, trying to regain some semblance of control, but it’s nearly impossible with how my fingers itch to touch him.
His hands cup my face and I bring mine up to hold his wrists as he stares. “If I had known Frank was there that night, I would have never left your side.”
