Page 28 (1/2)

“I love you, and I promise to make you safe I will check in while Ferro is handled, and if at any point he har you home”

“I will,” I reassure hi my previous position in front of DeLuca

“Take him to his car Make sure you’re not followed back,” DeLuca orders Maxwell My father and my captor share a look I don’t understand, but when they do, a silent agreeone, leaving me alone with DeLuca

He doesn’t speak We don’t et answers

I drop my head and ask the first one

“You work for The Ruin?”

“Yes,” his hoarse voice sounds out His grip on my hip doesn’t loosen

“You were going to kill me?” I can’t help the whimper that leaves me

“No, no, baby” Hes, he leans in and put his face within inches of mine “The moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I could never hurt you I kneould be bringing you home to protect you fro world, piccolina” He wipes away the tears cascading down my face

I placemy forehead to his “I’m scared”

“Don’t Don’t be afraid I have you, and I will die before anyone touches you,” he declares, and that hasharder

“That’s scareshere,” I ad in love with my—

And then it hits me

DeLuca was never my captor

He was always my savior

“That will never happen I need you to breathe, okay? I’rabs e so that every part of ned with his I want to feel his words Feel his safety Feel him It’s all I want All I need in this moment

“Takeat this point

“Anything You rule this kingdorowls seductively, and I whiainst my core I want to feel like I’ chip I want to feel what it’s like to be DeLuca’s

Our lips ainst ular As he picks s around his waist We keep at it, ourto escape between the small cracks