“That's creepy, Ashland.”
“I know.”
She looks down at me then, and I don't flinch… don’t try to defend myself. This is who I am. What I am.
“You saved me. And then you just… what? Started stalking me?”
“I made sure you were safe. Made sure no one else tried to hurt you.” I reach for her, my thumb stroking her cheekbone because I can't seem to stop touching her now that I've started. “I told myself I was just checking in. Just making sure. But then days became weeks, which became months, and I couldn't stop. Every time I tried to walk away, I'd think about something happening to you, and I'd?—”
I break off. How do I explain this obsession? This need?
“Iknowit's wrong, Bianca. I know what I am. But I can't help it. You got under my skin that night, and you've never left.”
“Six years,” she repeats, and I can't read her expression. “You've been protecting me for six years, and I never even knew how close you were.”
“That was the point.”
“Why didn't you just… I don't know, talk to me? Ask me out like a normal person?”
I laugh, but it's bitter. “Look at me, lass. I'm not exactly the type of man you bring home to meet your mother. And you—” Christ, where do I even start? “You're light and goodness and everything pure in this fucking world. I had no right to you. Still don't. And I’mwaytoo fucking old for you.”
She works her lip and swallows hard. “How old are you?”
“Thirty-seven.”
A corner of her lips quirks up. “So you’re… thirteen years older than I am. Why is that so hot? Mmm. It’s very…daddy.”
Christ.My dick’s instantly hard, blood thrumming through my veins. “Yeah,” I mutter. “Tell me about it.”
I hold her hand like she’s a princess and I’m her prince, then kiss her bandaged fingers.
Her voice drops to a whisper. “Then why did you take me?”
“Because I'm a selfish bastard who couldn't watch you walk into death. And because the thought of him touching you, hurting you, killing you—I would have burned the whole fucking world down before I let that happen.”
She's staring at me like she's seeing me for the first time. Maybe this is the first time she'sreallyseeing the monster.
Then she leans forward and presses her lips to my forehead.
I go completely still… and stop breathing.
“Thank you,” she whispers against my skin. “For saving me. Both times.”
“Bianca—” My voice is wrecked.
“I'm not saying what you did was right. The stalking, the watching, the kidnapping—it's all kinds of fucked up.” She finally meets my eyes. “But you were right about Marcus. And if you hadn't taken me when you did…”
She shudders, and I want to kill Crowning all over again. Slower this time.
My hand slides into her hair, cradling the back of her head. She's so small, so delicate. I could break her so easily.
Instead, I hold her like she's made of glass.
“I'm sorry I scared you. Sorry I made you feel trapped. But I'm not sorry I took you. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.”
“I know.” The way she says it—like she understands, like she's not judging me for it—nearly breaks me. “I'm not going anywhere, Ashland. Not tonight. Not—” She swallows. “Not for a while.”
A while. Not forever. But it's more than I deserve.
