Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Who I am.
A Savage.
I will spend my life protecting Harper and Rayne. Both women have changed me, and when I walked out of the water, holding Harper in my arms, I vowed never to allow harm to come to them again.
I didn’t think I would ever experience true happiness. I knew love was a fantasy. But then I found them. One after the other, they came into my life, and now they’re the only thing keeping me going.
I need to ensure their safety at all costs, but the journey we’ve decided to embark on isn’t going to be easy. My past wasn’t the only reason I wanted to do this work. I chose to do it because I have to know, no matter what happens, my girls are safe.
They need me, as much as I need them. I didn’t think I would ever allow anyone into my heart. Yes, I love my brother. He used to be the only person I couldn’t live without, but then I let two girls capture my heart and keep it.
Now we’re back in Italy, in the home that’s been our haven for the last few months, I can finally relax.
As I stare at the unmade bed, my unmade bed, that has two beauties naked and asleep in it, I wonder what I’m doing here. I should be out hunting while it’s dark. The men I’m looking for don’t walk around in the daylight—they only show their true colors when they can hide in the shadows of night.
The truth is, I enjoy the darkness too, so I’m more than willing to make sure I’m only one step behind them, following them. And when the time is right, I’ll smile as they look me in the eye right before I steal their final breath.
I pull out a smoke, something I haven’t needed in a long time, and I light it as I step out onto the balcony. The cold morning air is fresh, and I pull the glass door shut behind me before I look out over Rome.
Soon, we’ll have to head back to the States, and even though I don’t want to go, I do want to see Drake and the rest of the family. I can’t keep running from the past. It’s time to face it. There have been many instances when I’ve thought about never returning. But that would mean Malcolm has won. I can no longer allow his influence to hold me hostage.
If the girls can let go of their monsters, so can I. Their courage has made me determined to stop fearing the past. It’s time to move forward. I can do this job without needing to hide.
“You’re up early,” Rayne’s voice comes from behind me, but I don’t turn around. Instead, I smile as I look at the view in front of us.
“I needed to think.”
“And what has the morning air revealed to you?”
She steps up beside me and allows her hand to trail down my spine. Her touch is electric as it slides down to my boxers, and she grips my ass, squeezing it before she lets go.
“We should head back to the States.” I turn to look at her. Those pretty green eyes that seem to burrow into my darkest parts look up at me. “It’s time for me to stop running.”
“I’d like that,” Rayne tells me with a smile that lights up her face. My chest tightens with emotion when I take her in.
“I’m sorry I had us running around all these months.” I’ve never in my life apologized to anyone. Not even my brother. But he understands what I’m like. He knows I’m an asshole.
“You don’t need to apologize,” Rayne says then. “I wanted to leave just as much as you did. And Harper was willing as well. We needed this time away, Dante. Stop putting all the blame on yourself.”
I capture her face in my hands, and leaning forward, I steal her lips. The softness of Rayne’s body presses against mine as I kiss her. It’s refreshing. Whenever I touch my girls, there’s something that lights up inside me. A warmth I’ve never felt before I met them.
I pull away, and when Rayne opens her eyes, I finally voice the words that have been lodged in the back of my throat for far too long.
“I love you, little raindrop.” My voice cracks on the words, but I have never meant anything as much in my life.
“I love you too, Dante. I have for a long time. There was just never an opportunity to tell you.”
I have no idea how this wonderful woman can love me. But she does. And I have a feeling Harper does as well. Both are more exquisite than the rarest of diamonds.
“I’m not sure how I got so lucky,” I whisper as I kiss Rayne once more, snaking my tongue between her parted lips and tasting her sweetness.