Page 96 of Dangerous Deviance
But it was worth it.
Once the campus was cleared—the equipment taken, the files removed, the only things left being the shells of the buildings, the guards, and Bates himself—we took gasoline and drenched the place as best as we could. Then Wil took a matchbook out of his pocket,Jimmy’swritten in cursive on the top, and ripped off one for me.
“The honors, princess,” he said. He smiled. The doctor had given him a painkiller, and it must have kicked in, making Wil a little loopy.
“Gladly,” I said. I took the match, striking it against the matchbook, then watched as I dropped it, the flame flickering to the ground, then lighting up the campus in a flash of blue and red light. It spread quickly, the heat licking our faces. Smoke rose toward the sky.
Wil watched the clouds darken, then looked down at me, the fire shimmering in his eyes. I knew then, that his love for me was real. He wanted me,only me, and he would kill anyone and everything that stood in his way, anyone who tried to hurt me. The world could be burning down around us, and we would still fight for each other.
“You know I love you, right?” he asked.
I grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him into me. “I know,” I said.
We kissed hard and deep, not caring about the destruction behind us because it was our moment. Our victory. Our love.
Then Derek whistled for everyone to get moving, and we broke apart.
“I love you too, you know,” I said. A smirk gleamed on Wil’s face, and my pussy clenched. I couldn’t wait to get him alone. In the condition he was in, he wouldn’t be able to do much, so I would worship him, like the god he was. And then he would worship me.
We walked out to the cars, and though it must have been only a few minutes, the walk back to the cars seemed like hours that stretched on, as if the world was moving faster around us.
I opened the car door, sliding into the driver’s seat.
“Your dad says he’s proud of you, by the way,” I said.
“Does he?” Wil asked, his voice distracted. “You talked to him about that?”
“Yep.” I leaned over and squeezed his hip.
“Without killing him?”
“Mmhmm.”
I started the engine, and then I opened the window, letting the wind blow in my hair. A siren rang in the distance, but by the time it came, we would be gone. All that would be left was a memory.
But I had Wil, and Wil had me.
EPILOGUE
a few months later
Wil
The river shimmered with blue light, making the setting seem angelic. My brothers were with me, each in their own suits, and Axe even had a lady with them. No, scratch that. I didn’t understand what his deal was with Demi, and she didn’t seem happy to be there. She crossed her arms, leaning against the picnic bench. Axe, though usually stoic, kept eyeing Demi, as if he was making sure that she didn’t do anything stupid. Derek had gone stag. Gerard and Clara were there too, happy for me, though my mom kept saying she wished she could have gotten to know Ellie better first.
But that was the funny part of all of this. This wedding wasn’t about anyone else. It was about whatwewanted, together. And hell fucking yes, I was going to put a ring on her finger.
Maddie came rushing out of the trees.
“All right. We’re ready,” she said.
Dr. Mercia, our fringe doctor turned wedding officiant, straightened her stance. And out of the trees, escorted by Maddie (the makeshift father and bonafide best friend), came my future wife. Ellie wore a white dress that flowed out at the hips, accentuating her curves, and ending at her knees, showing off her strong, thick calves. A sheer material covered her arms, making her shine with light. Her bright blue eyes met mine, and my body surged with warmth.
My wife. Ellie.
Mine.
We held each other’s hands. As Mercia went over the introduction to the ceremony, my mind went blank. I couldn’t pay attention. Ellie was gorgeous. She glanced down to the side of us where Julie was buried, and smiled at her sister. I wish Julie could’ve been here, but this was the best we could do.
