Page 67 of Betrayed in the Dark
“She will never be yours,” I growl. “This isn’t a threat. And this isn’t a warning. It’s a fucking promise. If you ever leave a mark on Madeleine’s body again, I will kill you.”
I end the call, turning off the main road and down a dirt one through the woods, driving until I reach a drop-off and stopping just before it. I place the car in park and step outside, peering down at the vast space, the moon highlighting the dangers that anyone should have if they were ever to find themselves pushed over the side.
This will do just fine.
Turning back toward the car, I reach inside and transition it into neutral. I close the door and head for the back of the car, placing my hands on the bumper. With all my strength, I push.
I force the vehicle forward until the front tires slip over the edge, and I stand there and watch two million dollars disappear down the side of the hill. I step to the edge and view the totaled vehicle sitting at the bottom, smoke billowing from the engine. A fire erupts, and within seconds, the whole car becomes lifeless, completely engulfed.
Representing everything I wish and crave to do to Alastor.
“You claim she’s yours, yet it’s my ring on her finger. My last name she’ll be taking. And most importantly, my cock she’ll be coming around every fucking night like the good girl she is for the rest of her miserable life.”
Alastor’s words echo deafeningly in my mind.
Taunting me.
Tormenting me.
Torturing me.
I look up at the star-filled sky, releasing a pent-up roar into the darkness. A thunderous howl rips across the lands, unleashing my vehemence into the ominous night.
But the words never stop hurling themselves at me. They keep playing over and over as I walk through the woods, heading toward the Alarie Estate. They don’t cease until I find myself directly outside of Madeleine’s home.
I stare at her door, a deep longing building inside me.
Madeleine’s forgotten who she belongs to.
Who she has always belonged to.
And the only person to blame for that is me.
For not doing something sooner about it.
But now it’s time to remind her.
I slam my hand on the scanner and impatiently wait for the door to swing open. The second it does, I forcefully shove it the rest of the way until I’m standing in the entryway, finding Madeleine sitting on the bottom step of her staircase with her head in her hands, her knees bouncing nervously.
Her head jerks up as I stride toward her, her eyes scanning me. She stands, shaking her head with tears coating her blue eyes. I spot a slight shiver in her hands as she runs them frantically through her hair.
“What did you do?” she asks, dread laced in her voice.
I stop a foot away from her. “I taught him a lesson he won’t soon forget.”
“You shouldn’t have done that,” she breathes, staring toward the painting above her fireplace. The one I know she lied to me about being a gift, when in fact, she bought it. She bought it because when she looked at it, she saw us. She saw our story and our struggles. But above all, she saw our love. “You have no idea what you’ve done. He’ll retaliate. He’ll—”
“He’ll never touch what’s mine again.” I reach out with both hands, embracing her cheeks, forcing her eyes onto me as I lean down, ghosting my lips over hers.
“What are you doing?” she whispers.
“Something I should have done the second I was back.”
I capture her lips in an urgent kiss as my hand wraps around her waist, drawing her against me. My other hand threads through her hair, cradling the back of her head.Her taste—her sweet, heavenly taste—sweeps over me, reviving every part of my damaged soul.
Fuck, it’s been too goddamn long since I’ve tasted her like this. And all I can think is that I need more.
I need all of her.
