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“How did that happen?” She asked, her lips brushing the side of my mouth that wouldn’t move.

“Car accident.” My stomach rolled at the lie. But the truth would reveal what I was. I couldn’t tell her I’d almost been beaten to death. That the force of his fists had caused permanent nerve damage to my face when I was only ten years old.

But maybe I could give her a little something. A tiny piece of the truth. Maybe it would still this churning in my gut. This guilt.

“It killed my parents.” My thumb traced along her plump bottom lip as her eyes clouded. So much honest emotion in them. I could see all she felt for me in that one expression. “I was with them.”

“Matt, I’m so sorry.” She gasped. Her sweet voice dulled the memories. It was like she was comforting the little boy who’d lost everything. Who had been thrust into a world he wasn’t ready for.

“It was a long time ago.” I pressed our mouths together again. I gave her all I could of myself. Anything more, and I’d risk her.

“Do you want to see?” She asked as we broke apart, turning the camera so I could look. My heart lodged in my throat as I glanced at the images. I seemed… happy. And so did she. She shined. My own personal ray of sunshine.

“We look good together.” She tilted her head as she said it, skepticism in her voice like she expected me to disagree.

“Perfect. Make me a copy?”

There was enough electricity in her smile to light a city block. She practically hopped from the bed. “I’ll have them printed next time you come by.”

My fingers brushed up and down her silky skin, soothing myself with the feel of her, knowing I would never get those photos. I touched her gently. It was the complete opposite of how I was in my regular life.

With her, I could be a different person. I could be soft. Sweet. Give her everything I had to suppress. Everything that would get me killed.

This had to be the last time. I could feel myself wishing for things that could never happen. Wishing I could be with her for real. That she could be mine.

I might be a monster, but I wouldn’t be her monster. I wouldn’t hurt her. I wouldn’t wish this life on her.

A life I didn’t even want. But I didn’t have a choice. I was born in the blood.

8

Matteo

Igently stroked Emma’s hip as we walked into the coffee shop where we’d first met. The place was mostly empty today, a few guys sitting around a table with papers scattered across it and another alone at the counter by the window working on his laptop. The young blue-haired barista smiled as we stepped up to the counter.

“Hi, how can I help you?” Her voice was friendly, but her eyes raked over me as she leaned slightly forward, giving me a view down her top. I shrugged it off; she probably flirted with every customer.

“Two large black coffees.” I tilted my head toward Emma. “And whatever she wants to eat.”

The barista’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at her. “Ma’am?”

I felt Emma stiffen, making a spark of anger flare to life inside me. “Could I get a blueberry muffin, please?”

The barista typed in the order, batting her lashes as she told me the total. “Are you sure I can’t interest you in anything else?”

I’d seen a lot more obvious flirting in my time. Women who knew what I was threw themselves at me, hoping to get a little of my power and money. Degrading themselves for the chance of being the next queen.

I never took them up on it. One day I’d have to get married and have children to keep my father’s legacy alive, but it wouldn’t be any time soon. And it wouldn’t be with any of them. Not when the only girl I wanted was so close but out of reach.

I pulled her to my side, kissing her hair. “I have everything I need.”

The barista’s smile fell as I dropped some money on the counter, leading Emma to where we waited for our order.

“Seems like she only had eyes for you.” Emma twisted her lips as she crossed her arms over her chest.

I couldn’t stop the smile spreading along my face as her jealousy washed over me. If only she knew what I was risking to be with her. What I would do to keep her if I thought I could.

I chuckled as I yanked her close, burying my nose in her hair. I inhaled her warm scent as she wrapped her small hands around me. “Her eyes can go wherever they wantsole mia,but mine are always on you.”

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