Page 58 of Twice The Hate

She doesn’t look happy about it, though. “He met the real Sebastian.”

I could ask her what she means, but it’d be a waste of time. There’s a reason this woman is the one for me. She understands things I wouldn’t have the words to say. “That’s exactly what happened.”

“Have I? Met the real Sebastian, I mean?”

I trace the curve of her jaw with my fingertips. She’ll never know how precious she is. How I’d mow down anyone in her path, anyone who meant to harm her. “You have. But I’d never be that man with you. I need you to know that. You make me want to be better. I’d never hurt you or anyone you love. You have my vow.”

She draws a slow breath, eyes darting back and forth over my face. “I probably shouldn’t, but I believe you,” she finally whispers before standing on tiptoe to press a long, sweet kiss against my mouth.

Then she pulls away with a frown, and I blurt out the words, “Come with me… to stay, I mean.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “I don’t even know where we are going. Hell, I barely know you. You hardly know me.”

“I know enough. Come with me. If you hate it, I’ll let you go as soon as I’m sure you are safe.”

Her answer comes quick. “But I have to call my friends and my family. I’ll go with you, but I won’t leave the island until they know I’m okay. Otherwise… I don’t know.” Her voice doesn’t tremble. She’s not upset over what happened. There won’t be any hysterics.

Damn it. She’s perfect for me.

The buzzing in my pocket reminds me I slid the burner phone in there before Jake showed up. “It’s my brother, Drake. They’ve landed. I have the coordinates of where they’ll be waiting to take us the rest of the way to the hangar.”

Our eyes meet in the phone’s glow. She arches an eyebrow.

What choice do I have? Now I understand how my mother gets away with pestering a man like my father half to death. “Be careful what you tell her,” I warn as I hand over the phone.

“Don’t worry. I worked the story out while I was waiting for you to come and get me in the shed.” She didn’t doubt I would protect her.

Inside, I take one look around the house before setting fire to the couch. This was never going to be my real home. I don’t feel a thing as I walk out, leaving the bodies to burn with everything else. I doubt anyone will care much.

“You won’t believe it. Somebody must’ve drugged me at the party, and another man found me near the resort.” Bree takes my hand with a grin, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I’ve been sick for two days, and I didn’t have any ID. He didn’t know who I was. He took good care of me, though.”

I did. And as we get in my soon-to-be abandoned car to meet up with my brothers, I know I always will.

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