I hear her panting, and I press a tender kiss to the base of her spine before rolling her over. She flops back onto the floor, a dazed smile playing on her lips. Undoing the tie around her wrists, I press a kiss to the inside of each one before lying down next to her, pulling her head onto my chest.
“Sorry I didn’t get to these.” I run my thumb over the bow on her tits. “Gimme a minute, and I’ll be good to go again. I promise.”
She giggles, pressing a kiss over my roaring heart before settling back down. Her fingers trace figures on my chest, and I get the overwhelming sense she wants to say something.
I tighten my grip, and she flops one leg over my own, half laying on me. I press a kiss to the top of her head, hoping to comfort her enough so she can say what’s on her mind.
Finally, she sighs. “I want you to move into my room.”
I suck in a breath, my heart threatening to explode. I squeeze her tighter, wanting to brand this moment across my soul. “I want that,” I whisper, terrified this is all a dream, and if I speak too loud, we’ll wake up.
“Yeah?” She leans up, a timid shyness on her face.
She might not realize how much she’s changed in the last month, but I see it. I notice every day how much softer she’s become, how much more playful and joyful she allows herself to be.
And through all of it, she’s braver too. I know Valentina doesn’t see vulnerability as bravery, but I know it takes far more strength for her to be like this than to keep herself locked away.
It not only makes me proud to know her, but it makes me love her more. She’s amazing—the most amazing woman I’ve ever known—and I get to bask in her unending glory.
“Yes. I want nothing more.” I kiss the corner of her mouth tenderly, and she smiles.
“Nothing more?”
My brows draw together in confusion at her teasing tone. “Uh, I don’t think so?”
“Not even for me to say I love you?”
Breathing becomes impossible.Is my heart still beating, or did I just die?
I stare up at her, suspended in time and space as she watches me. “Are you?—”
“I do love you, Rafael. I love that you’re kind and thoughtful, that you work hard and are generous with your time and attention. I love that you see me, really see me, and believe in what I can be instead of who I was or am. I love the way you smile in your sleep and that unending mischievous look you get every time you look at me. I love?—”
I press a hard kiss to her mouth, tasting the salt from her unchecked tears as they spill from her eyes. My heart can’t take any more.
“I love you, Valentina Reyes. I love you.” Gripping the sides of her face, I shower her with kisses until she’s giggling, her tears dried and forgotten. And then, I kiss her some more, just because I can.
Because she’s mine.
FIFTY-ONE
VALENTINA
December 30th, 2025
“Where are we going?”Faith whines, tripping over her feet as I drag her down the sidewalk.
I look at her over my shoulder. “Don’t you trust me?”
Her eyebrows smash together in a ‘you can’t be serious’ kind of way. Finally, she rolls her eyes, picking up the pace just a little. “If we’re going to kill someone, you could’ve at least let me put on better shoes. These’ll be ruined if they get blood on them, and they’re my favorite pair. You can’t buy them anymore, I’ve checked. If I have to get rid of them, I may never forgive you.”
I laugh, her attention to detail humorous and a touch alarming. “We’re not going to kill anyone. I can’t stand blood, remember?”
She huffs. “It doesn’t always require a gruesome technique to kill someone, V.”
I whirl on her. “What would you know about killing someone?” I shake my head. This has taken a dark turn, and I don’t know how. “Never mind; we’re almost there. Stop your bitching.”
She scrunches her nose but keeps her lips sealed, following me with no more resistance. Finally, we reach the storefront, giant glass windows covered in black and white tattoo-inspired artwork, the red sign overhead reading, ‘Needles and Knives?’ Faith looks at me incredulously.
