Page 252 of Only Be Mine

He crawled from the wreckage.

One arm hung wrong.

Blood streaked down his temple.

But his movements were deliberate.

Measured.

He saw me.

And something in his face shifted.

Not rage.

Not madness.

Loss.

“You,” he breathed.

He dragged himself toward me.

Each movement fueled by something deeper than pain.

I tried to crawl backward.

My legs wouldn’t answer.

He reached me.

Collapsed beside me.

Then rolled over me.

His good hand wrapped around my throat.

Tight.

Controlled.

“You were safe,” he whispered.

His tears mixed with blood as they fell onto my cheek.

“I built everything for you.”

The pressure increased.

Stars exploded behind my eyes.

I clawed at his wrist.

Weak.

He leaned closer.

“They don’t understand you,” he murmured. “I did.”