Page 76

Chapter 24

Declan

Icouldn’t move. My feet were cemented to the ground, my body coiled tightly like a snake preparing to strike. The sun had disappeared behind the gray prison wall, and moonlight took its place. It illuminated the prison yard. The figures with jerky movements and grotesque skin continued to amble in the gated confines.

My hands trembled.

What it came down to was whether or not I was ready to die. The longer I stood there, debating my options, the more gray the world became. My courage ebbed simultaneously with the sun lowering. What had I been thinking?

I ventured a step tentatively forward.

“Why are you in a bad mood?” I signed to Addie as she entered the kitchen. Sweat coated her skin in a glossy sheen, and a few stray curls escaped her ponytail. Even with the scar on her face from that bitch Liz, she was still the most beautiful woman I had ever feasted my eyes upon. It was impossible for me to look away, as if she had her own magnetic orb. I was lost in her gaze.

“Fallon is an asshole,” she replied, her hands moving rapidly to hint at her own agitation. I snorted but didn’t contradict. Sarge was an asshole. No one could deny that.

“Why is he an asshole?” My lips curved upward instinctively. She was adorable all pissed off, though I doubted she would agree with such a sentiment. Like a puppy.

“He’s making me exercise.” Her face twisted in horror. “I don’t exercise. Ever.” Her hands dropped as she absentmindedly began to ramble about the dangers of working-out. I could’ve sworn her lips said, “It makes my boobs sag.”

But I could’ve been mistaken.

She paused suddenly, her lips clamping into a tight line. Her eyes flickered to the doorway that led to the backyard, and something akin to fear flashed in her gaze. Before I could inquire, she had thrown herself underneath the table and sidled to sit between my legs.

I froze, peering down at her with wide eyes. With the way she was positioned…

I shifted uncomfortably, praying she didn’t see how hard I had become. Fortunately, she remained blissfully oblivious to my predicament as she put a single finger to her red lips.

Raising my eyebrow in confusion (really, I should’ve just expected as much from that crazy female), I noticed a figure move in my peripheral vision.

Sarge entered the kitchen, eyes narrowing.

“Have you seen Adelaide?” he asked. “She ran out in the middle of training. Claimed that her boobs had come undone, whatever that meant.”

I didn’t even have to look to know that Addie would be shaking her head rapidly beneath the table.

“No,” I signed, nodding towards the old newspaper in front of me. “I’ve been reading.”

Sarge glared, as if doubting my sincerity, before he stomped away.

I waited until he was out of sight before pulling up the table cloth and peering once more at Addie. Her hand was over her mouth as she restrained a giggle. Her eyes were alit with mirth.

Briefly, she rested her chin on my knee.

“My hero,” she said, moving her lips slowly enough for me to read. At this point, I was pretty sure I had those things memorized. When I dreamt, it was about those damn plush lips. What I wouldn’t give to taste them…

Keeping my face impassive, I nodded.

“Always.”

Always.

I was such a horrible liar.

There was a name for someone like me. Narcissist. Selfish.

I had broken my promise. I had left her after I had promised to always be by her side. Maybe I hadn’t said it in so many words, but I had meant it. She was mine. After years of forced separation, I would never leave her side again.

But…