I step inside the house, surprised to see Declan sitting on the couch in the living room, watching television. Since webrought him here to recover, he’s been in bed, only getting up to use the bathroom, shower, and to walk around to put weight on his ankle. Guess he needed a change of scenery.
He smiles when he sees me but quickly closes his lips around his chipped tooth. He shouldn’t worry that I’ll find him unattractive for that. He will always be handsome to me.
“Hey, baby,” I say, returning his smile. I clap hands with Manuel, who goes to stand guard outside. “What are you doing out here?”
“I don’t wanna lie in bed anymore.” He pats the couch beside him. I sit down and lean my head on his shoulder, letting out a long breath. “What were you up to today?”
“Working on your surprise.”
“A surprise? What? You got my name tattooed on your ass?”
“Yeah, no, that’s your lane.” I look up at him and wink. “That’s practically the only spot you don’t have ink. I thinkProperty of Nicowould look good there.”
“Fuck off with that bullshit.”
I lean up and wrap my arm around his shoulder, pulling him into me. Declan sighs and rests his casted hand against my belly.
It really hurts to look down at his hand and see only three fingers peeking out of his cast. I can’t wait to chop every fucking finger off Austin’s hand and make him swallow them.
I kiss the top of his head, breathing in the scent of his shampoo. “How you doin’, baby?”
“Still sore. Ribs feel better. Some of the feeling is coming back in my hand. Pins and needles and shit, mostly. My ankle feels fine and my elbow isn’t sore anymore.”
I’m glad to hear that he’s recovering physically, but that’s not what I mean.
“Up here?” I ask, tapping his temple.
Declan is quiet for a few beats and I wait him out, not wanting to rush him.
Finally, he says, “Not good. I don’t…I don’t know how I’ll get past being so fucking weak.” He looks up at me, tears in his eyes. “I almost gave up, Nico. I wanted it to end. I wanted them to just off me because the pain was so fucking bad. I didn’t think I’d survive, but I was ready to give up before I knew for sure.”
“Oh, baby.” I tip his chin up when he tries to hide his eyes from me. “That’s human nature. I don’t think I would have held out a week before I gave up. You’re so much stronger than any of us. Don’t ever think you have to be ashamed for wanting torture to stop.”
“You’re only saying that because you’re obsessed with me,” he says with a faint smile.
“A little. But no, it’s because it’s true. Ask anyone. We’re all tough, all killers, but actually being in a situation where you fucking taunt the person that is hurting you? That’s tough as fuck.”
I almost threw up when Declan told me he insulted Austin and his cousin Hugo while they were torturing him. He also told me he almost bit off Hugo’s ear. He’s such a badass. And he’s all mine.
Declan looks down at his cast, the missing fingernails on his other hand, then his wrapped ankle. “I’m all fucked up, Nico. I’ll have scars and pain in some areas for the rest of my life. You sure you still want me?”
I nudge him off me so he can see my face. “You tryin’ to get rid of me?”
His eyes widen. “What? No, I just?—”
“Good. Because I’m not going anywhere. When you claimed me, I claimed you right back. Why would I leave you because of a couple scars? Would you leave me if I were in your shoes?”
“No, but?—”
“But what? If you want to leave me, you’re going to have to say the words, because I ain’t goin’ nowhere.”
“I don’t want you to leave me! I need you!” Declan shouts. He lowers his head to my chest, sobbing as he grips onto my shirt. “I don't want you to go.”
Wrapping my arms around him, I hold him close, letting him purge his soul.
“I’m not leaving you,” I tell him when his sobs turn into sniffles. “I’m not going anywhere. When I say I love you, I mean it. Forever. I’d marry you if you weren’t so resistant to taking my last name.”
“Why can’t you take mine?” he asks quietly.
