Page 160 of Filthy Royal

Damien bit out a low curse. “Fuck, I’m sorry, baby.”

She fought to keep the tears at bay. “So am I.”

“I don’t have to hear the stories to know you had no choice.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Another half-sob. “And I know… I know you’ve killed too, but I’m not like you and, what’s more, the Scarlett you knew would never have done such things. I could have disobeyed orders and chosen to let Luc die. Or myself. But I didn’t.”

“Thank the fucking gods.” Damien’s fingers dug into her skin.

She barely registered his words, needing to get it all out. “Th-they were all Consortium board competition or males who’d gambled and lost and owed Darvish. They all lived in this world, exploiting the fighters and the prizes, and I know they weren’t good males… but still”—her voice trembled— “they were alive. And my so-called gift took that from them because... because I was so angry.”

“Scarlett.” Damien pulled her close. “You did what you had to do, and I’ll never be anything but grateful for that.”

Her fingers curled into his shirt. “Do you know what Darvish called me? His pet. His little trained pet who stole, who killed at his whim, and who behaved or else.”

A low growl rumbled against her cheek. “I will kill that fucker.”

“Darvish knew exactly what I was.” She spoke over Damien, lost in her fury and shame, the darkness inside battering against her ribs proof. “A monster. Just like him.”

He drew back just far enough that he could glower down at her. “Baby, you are not a monster. I know monsters. My half brother’s one. But not you. Never you.”

“But—”

“He put you in an impossible situation, but you can’t let him win. He and Crex and all the other monsters out there do not get to beat us.” He shook her once, gently. “I can see you’re beating yourself up over this, but I want you to hold on to the fact that your choices didn’t only protect you, they also saved your brother, your omega friends, and… me.” He stared down at her. “’Cause, like I already told you, without you in this galaxy, there is no me.”

“Damien—”

“You arenota monster.”

Her palms curled against his chest. “You don’t think you need to stay away from me? For your own safety?”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“There are so many obstacles.”

“I’ll knock ’em down, one by one.”

Goddess, she wanted to believe. “I’m dangerous.”

“Told you already, beautiful.” His hands slid down the length of her back, then cupped her ass. In the next breath, he lifted her so that their gazes aligned, his determination to protect her a near-visceral light that shone from his gorgeous eyes.

Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around his hips as he continued talking. “The most dangerous thing in this galaxy is me when I’m kept from you.”

His mouth claimed hers, his tongue sweeping inside, as fierce and determined as his words—and so hot, she moaned and gave right back.

Scarlett ground her body against his, her fingers tangling in his hair until he broke away, his chest heaving.

“I’m claiming my omega now.” Damien growled the words against her lips. “No more waiting.”

Then, hands still gripping her bottom tight, he stepped forward. And without warning, she was waist-deep in warm water, steam rising from the top, Damien’s shirt and the torn pieces of her dress clinging to her thighs.

She’d been so absorbed in Damien that she hadn’t noticed their surroundings. Now she took them in big time. “How is this possible?”

His smile was smug. “I like that I can kiss you and make everything else disappear.” When heat flared in her cheeks, he pressed his lips to the tip of her nose. “I like that look too.”

After giving the cave a cursory glance, he returned his gaze to her. “Your ancestors were smart and built their living quarters close to these underground springs. There are a few of them scattered throughout this section of the tunnels. Most have been blocked by rubble or dried up, but a couple are still functional. This is the biggest.”

“Amazing.” She’d lived her whole life in the Golden Dome and, until Damien’s arrival, had no idea these tunnels were still habitable. And once he left, she’d lost any desire to return underground. Now she was sorry she’d stayed away so long.

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