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“I will kill for you. I will bleed for you. And I will fucking die for you.”

She pulls the knife back, and her watery lashes flutter.

I tilt her chin up and stare into the depths of her soul. She is the crack in my armor.

“I’m yours.”

30

Evelyn

His words repeat in my head, like a haunting song. He would do anything for me. He’s mine.He’s yours.

I didn’t know what I was doing last night. I was wasted. I spent the entire day with Astra because Dante and Lucien had something to attend to. Which now, I assume, means they had to kill someone.

Dante is so discreet when it comes to his work, but I am slowly understanding why. He wants to keep me safe. He doesn’t want me to worry about him, but I do. I’ve seen firsthand how he kills, and I know he has made enemies as a result.

I do feel better knowing that when he randomly disappears, he is probably working, not seeing other women. I’ve never had a real relationship before, so I’m new to this whole jealousy thing.

It has been eating me alive for days— until last night.

Something changed. He looked at me as he held the knife to his chest. He trusts me. He’s mine. And I am his.

Warmth travels to my core.

I pull out my phone to text my parents. Things have still been a bit weird, and I want to change that. It makes me physically sick when I think about the disgusted looks they had on their faces the last time I saw them.

Hey Mom & Dad. I miss you guys. I was wondering if you guys would want to do dinner sometime? Let me know. Love you.

Hopefully, they respond. I know they apologized the other day, but that doesn’t mean they’ve moved on. I wonder if Dante threatened them or something.

That thought also makes me sick. I start the shower and slip off my shirt, letting it fall softly to the heated tile floor— one of the many things I love about his bathroom.

I look in the mirror at my bare body. The scar is mostly healed. I still remember the sting from the blade. A shiver travels down my spine at the memory. The way he looked at me was terrifying.You liked it. He made you feel more than alive.

My neck has a few purple marks scattered across it. I trail my fingers over them.You love it when he marks you. You love him.

I look happier. The me who looks back at me isn’t scared, she’s content.

I step under the scalding water and let it fall down my body. The steam gathers around me, calming my tense muscles. Ever since I’ve been staying here, I realized I take quiet showers: no music or anything. I’ve been so… relaxed.

Perhaps it’s related to the fact that I was previously being stalked everywhere I went. Now, I’m not. Now I live with my fucking stalker. I laugh to myself at the thought.

If my younger self knew what I was up to these days, she would have called a priest.

I step out of the shower and dry myself off, slipping on my new leggings and sweatshirt. I made Dante pick me up a few since he keeps destroying my favorite clothes.

Idry my long, dark strands and put on some mascara, stepping back into the bedroom. Dante has been gone for a couple of hours now. I sit on the sofa and check my phone to see if my parents have answered me. Nothing.

I roll my eyes and text Astra to see if she wants to do lunch. Hopefully, she’s free since Dante is with Lucien.

* * *

I’ve been stuck inside all day, and no one has returned any of my messages. I finished an entire book and made brownies. I’m so bored that I’ve resorted to cleaning the house.

I have already finished the first floor, and now I am cleaning Dante’s office. I’m taking out the trash and dusting. He is a neat freak, I swear.

I dust all of his books and put them back exactly how they were. I move on to his desk and pick up all of the files as I wipe down the surface. I wonder what’s in them.