Page 77 of Slay Me

Chapter25

Liv

Isit in my window and look down at the people mingling below. They all look to be having so much fun, the patrons and the performers alike. Even from this distance, I can make out Fiona as she lifts people in the air and Apollo as he stalks around in his gryffin form.

The Ferris wheel is lit brightly as it usually is, lovers sharing the seats as they careen closer and closer to the stars. I’ve never gone down there. Always too afraid I’d end up captured by one of Ernesto’s men.

I’ve spent my entire adult life living in fear of a man I would have died to protect.

A charge of static electricity runs over my body, making the fine hairs on my arms stand on end. Someone knocks on my door. I don’t know how I know, but it’s Dante. Like there’s a part of my soul that is now entwined with his. I pull it open and step to the side, letting him come into my apartment.

Then, I shut it quietly and face him. He’s freshly showered, dark hair still damp on his head. The scent of his body wash permeates the air around us, but when I look at his expression, it’s not lust I feel. “What’s wrong?”

Dante doesn’t answer me. He crosses to my open window and takes a seat on the bench. I follow, sitting down across from him. His gaze lands on my face, and he reaches forward to brush his fingers over my cheek. “Two of Ernesto’s men came to find you tonight.”

I stiffen, the blood draining from my face. My stomach fills with dread as terror sends my pulse skyrocketing. “What?”

“They didn’t make it past Bracken and Duncan.”

I get to my feet and back away, shaking my head. “He—he’s still coming after me?” Panic claws at my chest, anxiety taking me to my knees as my head fills with worst-case scenarios.

Two men? That’s only the beginning. His scouts. They’re all going to come for me, and then Dante’s men will be outnumbered. I’ll spend the rest of my life encased in stone, only thawed when I can be used.

Spots invade my vision, and I suck in a ragged breath.

“Breathe, Liv.” Dante’s hand goes to my back.

“I. Can’t.” I choke on the words, lungs seizing. I can all but feel Ernesto’s hand wrapping around my throat, his blade biting into my skin.

“Liv.” Dante pulls me into his lap and wraps both arms around me. My head pressed to his chest, I do my best to focus only on the steady beating of his heart.Thump-thump, thump-thump.Until, finally, I can breathe.

I take one breath, then another, though the fear never fully leaves me. I know all too well what Ernesto is capable of. And when he wants something, it’s only a matter of time before he gets it. Being here twelve years? That just means my time is nearly up.

“He’s not going to get you, Liv. I’ve already taken care of that.”

“He won’t stop coming for me, Dante. Never.”

Dante pushes me away enough so he can see my face. He cups my cheek, thumb stroking my skin. “Do you have any idea what I would do for you?”

“You may not be able to do anything,” I tell him. “Ernesto—”

“I would burn this entire world to fucking ash for you, Liv. Something I am quite capable of doing, I assure you.”

I fall silent as he strokes my cheek.

“I will rip his entire fucking gang to shreds, leaving pieces of their bodies all over No Man’s Land as a warning to any who dare put their hands on you. Do you understand?”

I nod, wondering if he realizes just how much his declaration means to me. My only concern is that, eventually, his affection for me will fade, and I won’t be enough. “Why me?” The question tumbles out of my mouth before I can stop it. “You never answered.”

Dante swallows hard and sets me off his lap. He stands, and I follow suit, watching as he begins to pace. “What do you know of dragons?”

“Not much,” I reply honestly. “That you are territorial, strong, and that your scales possess those same qualities, so people smuggle them through the portal and sell them for top dollar."

He nods. "Dragons are territorial,” he confirms. “But what I feel for you? It’s more than that.” Dante turns to fully face me, his eyes bright, burning copper. “My beast has claimed you as its other half. That’s why I was so afraid to touch you. Because doing so gives you far more power over me than you can even begin to comprehend.” He crosses toward me. “More power than you knowing my name does. I crave you, Liv. Breathe you. Exist solely foryou.And should anything happen to you—” Trailing off, he shakes his head. “Nothing will happen to you.”

My heart flutters as my chest tightens.He claimed me?“Claimed me? As in—”

“You are my mate, Liv.”

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