Page 128 of Betrayed in the Dark
He presses his lips to mine, my words dying on the tip of my tongue.
Rolling our temples together, he says, “You just went through all of this alone, keeping this secret for so long. You never had the chance to grieve this loss properly. So, let me hold you a little while longer. Let me take all the tears and pain and hold on to it for you so you don’t have to bear the weight of the world on your shoulders anymore. You’re not alone, love. I’m here.”
“I’ve really missed you,” I breathe. “I’ve needed to fall apart in your arms for so long.”
“I know.” He brushes his hand down the back of my head. “Tonight is for us. But tomorrow…” His muscles tense beneath me. “Tomorrow, I’m going to take care of everything.”
I swallow hard. “You’re going to tell my brothers, aren’t you?”
“They need to know. At least,” he continues, “they need to know about your deal with Alastor. They need to know what they’re up against. Especially since it pertains to the Vasilievs.” He nods, deep in thought, to himself.
“The Vasilievs are not good people. They make my brothers look like saints.”
He chuckles softly. “No, they’re not. But your brothers and I will handle whatever comes our way.” He looks down, his eyes dark yet lost as he processes everything I’ve just revealed. “You signed away your life for me,” he whispers in disbelief.
“I would do anything for you.”
“But you should never be in a position where you have to. I’m the one who is supposed to be taking care of you.”
I shake my head. “Sometimes the princess has to save her knight in shining armor.”
He touches his lips to mine before I pull away and rest my head against his chest, exhaustion suddenly taking over me.
“I never stopped loving you,” I whisper.
He presses his lips to the top of my head. “My heart has only ever beat for you. Only you.”
It’s not until every tear has dried that he kisses my temple and lifts me into his arms. Gently, he places me in the center of my bed and then slides under the covers beside me. I snuggle into his embrace as his arms engulf me, keeping me close.
Keeping me safe.
“You are mine,” he says softly, his lips brushing over my hair. “Always have been and always will be. And I protect what is mine, no matter the price.”
Chapter twenty-eight
Eli
Four pairs of eyes stare back at us.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Anger. Fury. Vengeance.
It’s all right there on their faces.
“I know.” Madeleine twists her hands together and clears her throat. “I know you’re probably very disappointed in me for seeking help from an outside source, but please know that I was desperate, and it was the only way I could think of to save Eli. I didn’t know what else to do. I panicked, and I just hope—”
Vin’s chair slams against the wall as he stands, his eyes locked on Madeleine as he strides around it, heading straight for her.
I step between them, placing her behind me. “I will not let you hurt her,” I bite out. “She did what she thought was right. It’s because of her that I’m even standing here right now.”
Vin gives me a disbelieving look and inches closer to me. “Let. Me. See. My. Sister.”
Hesitantly, I step aside, keeping one hand over the gun tucked in the back of my pants.
Vin approaches Madeleine, staring down at her, making her appear even smaller than usual.
