I've lied and killed and manipulated people to get what I want.
But I've never loved anyone like this, and I'm not about to start being a weak man and let them hurt me when she needs me.
"I've never loved anyone," I say. "And then you showed up with Sofia."
"What does Sofia have to do with it?"
"Everything…" I sigh softly as I remember the way she wormed her way into my heart with her charming smile. "Her innocence made me realize how badly I've been behaving and how desperately I need to do better."
I pause and brush a strand of hair away from Angelica's face.
"It started with her," I continue. "That feeling of wanting something beyond power. And then it spread to you. Now I can't separate the two. I love Sofia because she's mine. And I love you because you gave her to me."
She reaches up and touches my face.
Her fingers trace the stubble on my jaw.
"I don't know how to do this."
"Do what?"
"Love someone like you, who lives in such a dangerous world."
"Then don't think about it. I'm here with you now, and I'll be here with you tomorrow, and the day after and the day after. And I'll work to ensure that the scary parts of my world are far from you at all times."
She closes her eyes again and more tears slip free.
"I love you."
The words are so quiet I almost miss them.
But I hear them and they make my heart unclench.
We've come so far from her hating me and being terrified of me.
I don't know when it happened, but I managed to break down her walls and now she's in my bed waiting for me, to tell me she loves me.
"Say it again," I say.
"I love you. I don't want to. I didn't plan to. But I do. I love you and it terrifies me because I don't know how to protect myself if you get hurt."
I pull her against my chest and hold her fiercely.
She breaks down completely.
Her body shakes with sobs.
I feel the wetness of her tears streaking across my skin.
I feel her fingers digging into my back like she's afraid I'll disappear if she lets go.
"I'm not going anywhere," I say into her hair. "I'm not leaving you. I'm not leaving Sofia. I swear on my life, I'm going to come back from tomorrow night."
She pulls back enough to look at me.
Her face is wet with tears.
Her eyes are red and swollen.
