Because I realize that I don’t want to save her from her darkness—I want to watch her wield it like the weapon it was always meant to be.
Whatever she’s becoming, whatever we’re becoming together, it’s going to change everything.
And I can’t wait to see what happens next.
17
BIANCA
HE LOVES ME.
The words make my chest tight with something I wasn’t expecting—pure relief.
I didn’t realize how desperately I needed to hear that until he said it.
After everything that’s happened, after discovering I’m capable of breaking someone apart piece by piece and enjoying it, after watching myself become something darker than I ever imagined—he still loves me.
Not despite what I am, butbecauseof it.
The relief is so overwhelming I have to press my face against his shoulder to hide the tears that spring to my eyes.
Happy tears, grateful tears, tears of someone who thought she might be becoming unlovable and just discovered she’s wrong.
“I love you,” he confirms, his hand still moving in gentle circles on my back. “I love watching you kick ass. I love that you’re not fighting your nature anymore. And I love that you don’t need meto save you. You just need me to stand beside you while you save yourself.”
Calmness floods through me so powerfully that I have to close my eyes for a moment.
He’s not going to try to fix me.
He’s not going to play savior, attempt to soften my edges, or redirect the violence I’ve discovered I’m capable of.
Thank god.
I would have been so fucking angry if he’d tried.
“You’re not afraid of what I’m becoming,” I say, breathing him in as I stroke the hairs at the nape of his neck.
“I’mfascinatedby what you’re becoming.” His thumb brushes along my spine, sending heat through me despite everything that just happened. “You are exactly who you are supposed to be, and it’s sexy as hell.”
The hunger in his voice makes my pulse quicken.
When I shift against him, I can feel he’s still hard, and my thighs clench in anticipation.
“Show me,” I whisper against his throat. “Show me how much you love what I am.”
Alessandro smiles wickedly as he leans forward to kiss me while also cupping my breast with his hand.
Before I know it, he’s ripped his mouth away from mine and I can feel his lips close around my nipple.
I cry out at the sensation, wetness pooling in between my legs as his tongue gently swirls around my hardened nipple.
He suckles hard then uses his tongue again, flickering rapidly.
“Oh god,” I moan. One hand reaches up to curl around Alessandro’s head, holding him to me as I lean back on the other hand, arching upward to give him better access.
The bastard takes his time, switching between both breasts and bringing me to such a fever pitch that I think I surely can’t bear another moment.
Suddenly, he stops and pulls away. My eyes pop open at the cool air hitting my nipples.
