Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
She nibbles her bottom lip, the one still swollen from my kisses.
“I can handle myself, songbird.” I kiss her forehead. “I promise.”
She lets out a long breath. “Do you promise you’ll come back?”
I’ve never made promises. Not about coming back, or being there for someone, or anything that could mean something. But with Aurora, I want my promise to bind me, to bring me right back to the woman who owns my heart and soul.
“I promise, Aurora, I will come back to you.” I kiss her. “I love you.”
Her eyes water instantly, and she flings her arms around my neck. “I love you, too.”
“Really?” Tiernan lifts a brow.
I growl at him.
He holds his hands up. “Hey, I was kidding. Of course she loves you. You’re perfect for each other.”
“We really are.” She giggles through her happy tears. “You’re everything I never knew I wanted.”
“You’re a gift I will never deserve, but I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”
“You already do,” she whispers and hugs me tight.
Tiernan excuses himself as we continue our embrace.
When she lets up and meets my eyes again, I kiss her. Hard. Like it’s the last time. Like it’s the first time. I want her to keep this kiss on her lips as I leave to slay her demons.
And then? Once I’ve left a crater where Kent Kingston stood, I’ll come right back to my songbird and claim her so fiercely that she will never doubt my devotion.
After all, I promised.
13
AURORA
I hate that I worry over Diego. It’s not that I don’t have faith that he can handle himself. I’m just new to this whole thing. At least he took Tiernan with him. The thought of Diego getting even a little scratch because of me is what worries me the most. His life has been filled with so much darkness already that I don’t want to add more to it. When it comes to me, I only want there to be light and sweetness.
With that said, I’ve never hated Kent more than I do at this moment. He needs to be handled. I know going through the normal channels won’t work when it comes to him. I also know that if he’s not bothering me, his focus might shift to someone else. That person might not have the means to protect herself or be blessed to have a Diego in her life to take care of it. I mean, taking Kent out is best for womankind. That’s how I have to think of this situation.
“So…” Daphne says, getting my attention. I hadn't seen her come into the kitchen. I was debating what I should make everyone for dinner tonight. Cooking will help keep my mind off Diego for a while. Or maybe not, because I’m pretty sure I’ve just been standing here this whole time thinking about him.
“What?” I look over at her. She’s now dressed in black pants and a black hoodie. Her red hair is pulled tight in a high ponytail.
“Don’t you think we should follow after them?”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” I think Diego would be upset if I left the lodge, but Daphne’s idea is rather tempting.
She leans over, elbows on the island. “If anyone can calm Kent down, it would be you.”
“He’s trying to kill me.”
“No, he wants to kill you so that no one else can have you. But if you’re there when things get bad, maybe you could step in.”
“And what? Offer myself up to him?”
“No.” Daphne's shoulders drop. She shakes her head. “I just thought if Kent walks away from this alive, it’d be less of a spotlight on this place. But never mind. It was a stupid idea.” She starts to turn around to leave.
“Wait!” I shout.
She stops.
“You’re still going, aren't you?” I ask her.
“I’m sorry. I was baiting you, but when you said the offer yourself up thing, I realized what I was really asking you to do. You shouldn't go. Kent really is dangerous.”
“But you’re still going to go.” It’s not a question. Her outfit says it all.
“It’s kind of my thing. You know, the whole snooping around thing. Plus, I kind of want to watch Kent get what’s coming to him. He’s vile.”
I make up my mind. “I’m coming.”
“No, you’re not. You’re not offering yourself up to him.”
She turns, trying to leave again. I grab her arm and stop her. “If you don’t let me come, then I’ll alert the others to what you’re doing.”
“They can’t make me stay here,” she says almost petulantly.
I give her a look. One that says the men around here do whatever they think the right thing is. In the blink of an eye they’d kidnap her for a few hours to keep us safe if they thought she was going to do something dangerous.