Page 77 of Taking Adalisa

“I know,” I whisper, tears of relief filling my eyes.

“Tell me again.” Matthias runs his thumb across my cheek.

I furrow my eyebrows. “Tell you again?” What is he talking about?

“Tell me you love me again,” he demands.

A smile breaks out across my face.

“I love you,” I whisper.

“Again,” he commands.

“I love you, Matthias.”

He smiles. “Again,” he says gently.

I chuckle and raise an eyebrow. “Are you going to tell me you love me?”

“I love you, Adalisa. I have since the first time I saw you.” He kisses my lips. “Now, tell me again.”

“I love you.”

EPILOGUE

ADALISA

“What do you think about living here?” Matthias asks.

I suck in a breath, my body freezing. Does Matthias want to stay here? How am I going to tell him? Maybe he won’t notice how much I’m struggling.

I look at the house in front of us. After my brother somehow got past the guards, nothing has been the same. Ethan has been trying to figure out who let him in. It hasn’t been easy on me. Sleep has been impossible, as has eating. It’s like I’ve been violated. The space I was getting comfortable in was violated.

“Honestly?” I turn to him.

“Always.” He grabs my hand, giving it a little squeeze.

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes for a second, and I center myself. If I could change things, I would. If I could go back in time, I would. In a heartbeat.

“I loved being here,” I honestly tell him. “I love being so close to Margery. I loved feeling safe here, but I don’t anymore. You’ve noticed how I’m sleeping and eating. I don’t think I’m ever going to feel safe here again, not enough to live normally. I don’t want to leave, but at the same time, I can’t stay here.”

“Good thing we aren’t staying here, then,” he says.

My mouth falls open as I stare at him. “We aren’t?”

“No, we aren’t. I saw how you were after I killed your brother. I don’t want you around that. I want you to feel comfortable and safe. I want you living your best life and not having to worry, so I bought us a house.”

“No,” I whisper, not believing him.

“Yes. Well, it was a four-story apartment building, but I figured we could have a level for different things. One could be the bedroom, a massive one with maybe a couple of smaller guest rooms. But it’s ours and we are going to move there.” He smiles. “Our stuff is already there. I had it moved this morning when we were out.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I whisper.

“Then don’t. You living with me for the rest of your life is enough.”

I lean into his embrace, kissing his lips quickly before snuggling into his chest. I’m sad I won’t be as close to Margery, but I’m excited to get out of here and feel safe again.

“Thank you,” I whisper.