“I’m here.”
I see his face in the light now. I see bruises. “You’re hurt.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Lucian.”
“Logan and I got into a fight.”
“What?”
“He touched you. I didn’t like it.”
I shoot him a look of exasperation. “You’re crazy.”
“About you.”
I glare at him—this man who could break the world for me, and I know I’ve made my choice.
“You killed him,” I whisper.
Neither of us needs to define who the “him”is that I speak of.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To keep you safe.”
I knew it. It’s still a sucker punch to hear it. He killed a man for me.
It’s beautiful. It’s terrible.
“You could’ve gotten hurt,” I snap, my voice catching.
“I did.”
My breath hitches.
“Just flesh wounds.” He gives a humorless half-smile. “Anything to keep you safe, baby.”
I close my eyes for a second, feeling the air settle between us.
The blood, the lies, the impossible choices.
I open my eyes. His face looks like he’s been in a boxing ring. He probably has other wounds and bruises on his body.
This could be my life.
And so what? You’ve already chosen, Calista. Now have the courage to stand by your choice.
“I can’t live like this.” My voice trembles.
“I know.”
He pulls me to him. I can feel the heat rolling off him.
He’s fierce, alive, mine.
