Page 136 of Stolen Temptation

I’m going to find Leo and the woman I love.

It’s time for that piece of shit to die.

After banking around the back of the altar, I sprint down the hall that circles the outside of the room, stopping only when I catch sight of Leo backing Kiara into a corner. Leo throws Kiara into the wall so hard, I hear the thump of her head against the stone.

Ire rips through me, setting my body ablaze.

I almost shoot Leo from right here, but one miscalculation could mean Kiara’s life. I’m not willing to risk that.

“Don’t move.” Leo snarls at her like a beast before pivoting and streaking toward the other side of the hall, back to the sanctuary. He didn’t see me. Good.

As soon as he’s gone, I race to her side.

Her head snaps up once I stop taking care to soften my footfalls.

“Rory?” Her whole face opens up, tears flying from her eyes. Then she damn near tackles me in her five-ton wedding dress. I almost fall backward as she crushes against me, the hole in my chest burning like lava.

I don’t care. I don’t give a flying fuck if my stitches tear.

All I care about is Kiara.

I hold her tight enough to crack her ribs, sucking up the scent of her dark hair. She smells edible. Or maybe I’m just that hungry to be with her.

Today. Tomorrow. The next decade. Or three.

Another deep inhale. Despite the nauseating pain that shoots through me, I feel as though I’m breathing for the first time in over two weeks. “What did they spray you with? An aphrodisiac?”

“I thought you were dead!” Her voice comes through big, hiccupping sobs. “I thought Leo killed you. You’re alive. Oh my god, you’re alive!”

Kiara’s words shatter me. She’s been mourning me this whole time.

“Can’t get rid of me that easily.” I plant a rough kiss on her bare shoulder, and she draws back to look at me, bleary-eyed and relieved.

She holds my face in her hands, peering into my eyes like she can’t believe it’s me. And I…I can’t believe my luck that the one woman I’m insane over seems just as wild about me.

Is this what a miracle feels like?

Her lips fall open, but more talking will have to wait. I crash my lips to hers and kiss her hard. She knots her fingers in my hair, giving as good as she gets.

“I missed you so damn much,” I breathe against her lips.

“Let’s get out of here.” Her words mesmerize me. “Just you and me. Let’s go somewhere far away from here and never look back.”

She overwhelms me. I’m shocked I haven’t bounced up to the ceiling just from these few precious moments alone with her.

It’s like there’s no one else in the world but us.

And that only clinches my determination to make the world safe for her.

And we’ll never be safe together as long as that half-brother of hers is breathing air instead of decomposing in a ditch.

“The answer’s yes.” I shove another kiss to her lips. “But there’s something I need to do first. Where’s Leo?”

Kiara shakes her head, tears returning to her eyes. “Rory, no. Don’t fight him.”

“Did you really think I’d let that bastard get away with hurting the woman I love?”

She freezes, her mouth dropping open in a little ‘o’ of surprise. “W-what?”