Page 59 of Filthy Beginnings

He could sense her pain. Feel the distance yawning between them like some fucking sinkhole he didn’t know how to traverse.

This was his fault. He’d been so arrogant. So certain he could have it all, he hadn’t protected what mattered most.

He took a step closer—and then forced himself to stop before he reached for her and she told him to get the hells away. “I’m sorry I scared you, beautiful. I’m here.”

A tear tracked down her cheek. “I went to our special place. I waited for you.”

“I’m so sorry. You were right. I was a total Alphahole last lunar rotation. Actually, scratch that. From the moment we met and I insisted we stay for the tournament, and then when I got all weird about Stormhart. I let my ego and emotions get the best of me.”

She wrapped her arms around her waist, as if she could hold herself together, but said nothing. Another tear rolled down her cheek.

“I would have told you all this last night,” he hurried to explain, “but someone jumped me while I was on my way to you.”

She paled further. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

“I’m fine.” He was so desperate, he took hope from the quiver in her voice. “I don’t want you to worry. I’ve got this. In fact,” he scrambled for anything that would stop her tears. “I think things are finally going our way.”

“What does that mean?”

“There is a rumor going around that Egan is missing. No one knows where he is. I can only hope someone finally took him down. Good fucking riddance and goodbye.” He cleared his throat. “One less worry for us. Things are already looking brighter.”

“Right.” She held herself tighter.

Instead of reaching for him.

His chest throbbed like someone had kicked him with a steel-toed boot.

“Come,” he held out his hand. “We’ll leave now through the tunnels. I’ll get you out of the dome. You don’t have to stay with me after. No expectations.” He forced the words out. “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go. Make sure you’re settled. And, fuck, if you ever forgive me, I’ll stay there with you. Keep you safe. Doing a better job than I did here.”

She stared at his hand, her body trembling.

He wanted to slice his own throat.

How had he let this happen?

“Scarlett, it will be okay.” He kept his hand outstretched. “I won’t disappoint you again.”

“I know you won’t.”

His heart rattled in his chest. It was a start. “Great. Let’s go.” Already, he could hear the music softening, and he wanted to be gone by the time the tournament was underway.

She took a step toward him and then halted, her hands fisting by her sides. “I-I want to stay.”

Shock slammed through him. “Why?”

“You,” her chest rose as she inhaled deep, “you were right before. I don’t want to be hunted our whole lives. I don’t want our families hurt. I want the chance for you to have the future you came here for and for me…” her voice shook, “t-to get what I need.”

“Are you certain? If you’re worried about me or that I might regret it later, don’t be. I won’t.”

She stood tall, her gaze locking with his. “I have never been more sure of anything.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. You told me you’d listen to what I want. I’m telling you now, this is what I want.”

He remembered:too many fuckers haven’t listened to a word you say. Not me. You tell me what you want. I do it. That’s how we operate from here on out. That’s my vow to you.

“Alright.” He recalculated, a mix of determination, surprise, and unease running through him, but if that was what she wanted… it was his turn to do right by her.

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