Page 113 of Trapped Truth

“You and me both.”

“Why does it feel like we must sacrifice everything to win?” His tongue flicks out to roll over his lip piercing.

I lean back against the sink, considering. “Because peace isn’t supposed to be easy.”

He slowly nods. “You have to fight for it.”

“Tooth and nail, apparently. That doesn’t mean I’m going to give up on our happy ending, and you shouldn’t either. We both deserve to have peace.”

“I’m not even sure what it looks like.” Blaine’s shoulders somehow slump even more.

“Then when all is said and done, we’ll find out together.”

His red-marked hand covers mine, the skin tacky from dried blood. Yet I don’t flinch. Not from this man. The other half of my dark, broken heart. My equal in the depravity that bore us both into this messed-up world.

“I’m sorry.” His confession is almost a whisper. “You’re trying to help.”

“You’re allowed to be all kinds of fucked up right now, Blaine. Don’t be afraid to show that vulnerability to me. I can hold your broken pieces too.”

“I’m still not used to having someone to do that.”

“You’d better start getting used to it, because me and you?” I smile ruefully. “That’s forever.”

Facial muscles releasing to surrender his frown, Blaine rises to capture me in a reverent kiss. It’s all the acceptance I need. He’s used to being strong—something I understand well. But around me, it isn’t necessary.

“Will you come to bed now?” I peck the corner of his mouth.

“Maybe for a couple hours.”

“I need you to hold me tonight.”

“How could I refuse that request?” His lips skate over mine, light and teasing.

Before I can pull away to usher us both to bed, a hand snaps out to halt me in place. Vulnerability carves Blaine’s forehead into a stern mountain plane, his brows pinched and jaw ticking.

“What is it?”

“Ember, there’s something I need you to know.”

“Okay… I’m all ears.”

“It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way, but I need to say it anyway. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring for us, and I refuse to take another breath without admitting⁠—”

“I love you too,” I interrupt, feeling myself grin.

He blinks. Brain stuttering. Mouth open on a confession I can easily read in his gaze.

“You had to walk all over my grand moment, huh?”

“Sorry, couldn’t resist.”

“I’ll show you sorry,” he growls in unfiltered, primal possession.

In one smooth advance, Blaine sweeps me into his arms. I cling onto his neck, carried bridal style into my bedroom. The bedsprings groan in protest when he tosses me onto the mattress, stopping to tear off his shirt.

“We have company,” I gasp.

The smirk that flashes over his face is a shot of pure reassurance. My Blaine is still in there. My Phantom. He hasn’t given up the fight yet.