Page 78 of Destined for the Devil
He absorbed me, just like before. In his arms, in his world, I listened to him sigh, finally taking a deep breath in myself.
"Isla...” he whispered, voice cracking. “Please don't go, Angel. Just one minute. Please stay…for just one minute.”
There was no struggle left in me—I could no longer fight him or myself. His scent, the warmth of his body, the low timbre of his voice…it was like getting a dose after withdrawal. He was like morphine…taking all the pain away.
I melted in his embrace, helpless, ready to give up. His lips landed on the top of my head, and I knew that if I didn’t pull myself together, I’d give in.
No. He was a bad man. He was amurderer; he broke my family apart. I drilled those logical thoughts into my head.
"I can't..." I breathed him in. "I can't be with you, Roman." I said the words and hugged him tighter. The realization hit me immediately. I let go, as if burned by fire, and Roman’s arms dropped away slowly, conceding.
His eyes wet with his sorrow, he took my hands in his and said with quiet urgency. "Come with me. Don't be scared."
37
The Library
Roman
IwatchedIslatheentire time we were apart. I mean, she had to expect it, right?
I knew she visited her ex at his work, and I tailed her to their little drinks date andfuck, I almost blew his brains out when he touched her hand, but then…I wanted to see what would happen.
It was obvious—she didn’t want him to touch her, moving away from the dive he took toward her lips.
My good girl.
My anger dissipated after I saw her recoil, but if he fucking laid a finger on her again, good guy Thomas would end up six feet underground.
Isla looked incredible. As beautiful as ever. The night was warm, and she wore a light blue dress, the hem ending mid-thigh. I longed to lift it up and kiss every inch of her body.
That mane of luscious brown hair flowed freely, her aura glowing. She stood out from the crowd, and I fucking missed herso much.
I couldn’t stop myself. I hugged her even though she said no, even though she asked me to stop. I had no strength in me to let her go. She wanted it too; this stupid breakup was killing us both.
I took her to a library—any library would do—there was something I had to show her. I picked a small branch, having done the preliminary research already. I got a library card and an account that day.
Isla was so apprehensive. She was distant, silent, cold, and refused tolook at me. This was not the woman who used to melt at my touch.
The little library branch was tucked away on a small street, and I obviously had no key to get in, so I withdrew my gun and shot through the lock on one of the back doors. Again, I’d done the research; there were cameras only at the front.
"What the fuck, Roman!?” Isla jumped as soon as the silenced shot sounded. “I really don't want to end up in jail! What are you doing?!" Stunned, she eyed the gun with wide eyes, so I hid it out of her sight.
Pure, innocent Isla. My girl.
I grabbed her hand—so familiar and delicate—and tried to pull her inside, but she stood planted to the ground, ripping her hand out of mine.
"I don't want to break into a library!" she whispered loudly. Fuck. She was such a good, law-abiding citizen.
"Come on. This is just a little mischief, nothing serious. We're not breaking into FBI headquarters." I shot her a reassuring smile, but she wouldn’t budge.
Isla was visibly torn. She obviously wanted to know what I so desperately wanted to show her that I broke into a library but didn't want to trespass. She chewed her lip and looked inside the dark hallway just beyond the door.
"Trust me. I never deceived you." I spoke honestly, and she knew I was right. Neither she nor I knew about our connection, and I had never lied to her.
Slowly, she slid her hand into mine. I didn’t know what came over me, but I imagined her doing that on our wedding day.
Wow. I was so painfully, incredibly,stupidlyin love with her.
