“And they will answer to our pack for that grievance,” Lazarus assures me. “But you’re a Bianchi, Aurora. That matters, and it changes things. So we’ll attempt to work this out between the families and go from there.”
I chew my lower lip. “Okay, if this isn’t from Gio, then who were you fighting?” I again try to touch him, but he holds me back with his grip on my wrists. “Who hurt you?”
He smiles. “I hurt myself, darling.”
My eyes widen. “What?Why the hell would you do that?”
“Atonement,” he murmurs, using that word again. Then he releases me and takes a step back. “The gauze wasn’t actually necessary, as there’s a plastic film beneath, but I wanted to slowly reveal this to you.”
And I’m frowning again. “Okay…”
He starts to unwind the fabric from his body, allowing me to see the plastic he mentioned.
Which shows hints of dark ink beneath.
My lips part.A tattoo.
But I can’t quite make it out yet. “Is that… a spider?”
“A black widow, yeah,” he says, the bottom half on display just above his right nipple.
However, he’s nowhere near done.
He keeps unraveling until I realize the black widow is hanging from anL.
“Oh my God,” I breathe. “You tattooed my name across your chest?”
And not my real name. ButLark. My hacker pseudonym. My chosen identity.
“Yes.” He finishes revealing the beautiful script. It takes up all the space between his collarbone and the top of his pecs, making the letters huge. “Your bite marks are not visible unless I stick out my tongue. So I wanted something more prominent to show the world I’m yours.”
I blink.
Then I reach up to gingerly trace the letters through the plastic.
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” he says softly. “That’s why Johan and Noah kept my confidence. We weren’t trying to hide anything from you. I promise.”
Tears fill my gaze.
Which is ridiculous.
This isn’t something to cry about.
I’m just… I’m just so touched by his gesture. And also relieved.
“I thought you ran away from me,” I admit in a whisper.
“I would never run from you,” he promises, his palm settling over mine and flattening it to his chest. “You’re my omega. My heart. There’s nothing you could do to change that.” His opposite hand grasps my chin, forcing my gaze to meet his. “I don’t care if you helped Giovanni organize the kidnapping. In fact, I would respect you for it.”
“But I didn’t have anything to do with it, Lazarus.”
He nods. “I believe you.”
“Do you?” I ask, incredulous. “Because I don’t think you do at all.”
He cups my cheek, his opposite hand releasing mine so he can wrap his arm around my lower back. “Aurora, trust takestime. But you’ve said more than once that you didn’t have anything to do with it. And I’m choosing to believe you.”
I nibble my lower lip, considering his words. “Okay…”
