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“Let o!”

It barely affected him “Scream all you want He’ll never be able to save you”

Reo’s voice sounded in the room “I will”

Dripping wet, Reo stood by the opened painting and pulled the trigger A booh the side of the man’s head Blood sprayed on my shoulder and face His hold loosened His body fell back

The screaed in my throat

Myopen

My body froze

“Layla, are you okay?” Reo’s voice sounded distant and far away

I think he picked me up

“Layla, talk to me”

Fear seized me

“Layla?”

Another voice sounded “Is she okay, sir?”

“Yes, but she’s in shock Get the plane ready”

Epilogue

Fated

Layla

One year later

H

olding the black velvet box, I gazed at Reo “What’s this?”

“You’ll only knohen you open it” He stepped in front ofnificent”

“Thank you” I sed “I’m nervous”

“You shouldn’t be”

“I want to give a good first ion—”

“Call him, Kenji His wife doesn’t like the nickname”

“Why not?”

“She doesn’t like to be reminded of the fact that she’s married to a beast”

“I can understand that” I studied him

While Reo dressed in a designer suit and had the entlemanly of manners, he was a killer I’d learned that when he saved me

I learned a lot fro the power that he wielded in this city When he walked the streets, people crossed it Most feared even giving him full eye contact

And because he’d announced his protection and love for me, no one dared to disrespect me In fact, most treated me like a queen

Reo touched ht my view to him “What’s on your mind?”

“I’ed”

“For the good?”

“Yes”

He kissed me and nodded towards the box in my hand “Open it”

Sreeted ems boasted a pure, vibrant red

“I thought this would be better than a red string”

I looked at hi me”

“This bracelet isn’t about spoiling” He lifted er “Do you understand ill be co next?”