Page 140 of Blood and Thorns

I turned to face him, my hands still crusted in his son’s blood which now gripped the edge of his jacket. “Say what, exactly?”

Alexander’s lips pursed for a moment before he reachedfor a button on the door. “Please head to the airport.” He released the button, and the car began to move.

“Airport? Is that where Sebastian is?”

“No, he’s not.” Alexander’s attention was direct, almost uncomfortable. “You need to understand, this is the last time I will offer you your freedom. After today, my nephew will never let you go. He doesn’t believe in love the way your fairytales describe it. His love is cruel, twisted… born from a trauma that will never heal.”

“I don’t–”

“You’re an obsession that almost got him and my son killed. You would do well to leave before it gets any worse. For both your sakes.”

I was so tired, but anger seemed to give me that much needed energy. So I clung to it like a lifeline. “You’re such an arsehole.”

His brows drew together. “Excuse me?”

“It was Margot that almost got them killed, not me.” Frustration made my words sharp. “So you can stop with the blame. I can see you’re trying to push me away.”

“Hmm,” he hummed, but there was an edge to it. “This is your last chance to run. Everything I promised still stands, a new life, anywhere you choose. But after this, the offer disappears. So make the decision.”

“Oh, so it’s my decision, and not yours?” I sat rigid, the silk of this fucking dress clinging to me like a second skin I didn’t want. “How generous of you.”

His eyes narrowed on mine, nostrils flaring as he waited.

“I think you’re wrong.”

He blinked, seemingly surprised with my response. “How so?”

“I understand you love him, in whichever wayyoudefine love to be. Whether that’s because of blood, or just a sense of duty.”

“I’m just saying that sometimes it doesn’t matter how much you love them, or how much you try to help. They just can’t be fixed.”

“That’s because he’s not broken.” I made sure to keep eye contact, for him to see the conviction behind my words.

“I–”

“No, it’s my turn to speak,” I interrupted.

Alexander’s upper lip twitched.

“I’m in love with Sebastian. I can’t tell you if it’s some fairytale kind of love, or if that even exists. To be honest, I don’t exactly know when it happened, but it did. I love him for who he is, and not who you think he should be. So take me to him,now, or I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”

Alexander gave me a long look, then finally smiled. But there was no happiness behind the emotion, just resignation. “His love comes at a cost. I only hope you’re willing to pay it.”

I ignored the grumpy-looking officer standing at the door, Alexander dealing with him when he went to stop me from entering.

My hand shook as I pushed my way inside, the obnoxious beeping sending repetitive jolts through my chest. Caden lay on his back on the bed, eyes closed and looking pale.

Bas turned from where he was standing over his cousin, and everything just stopped. The beeping became nothing but white noise as I dragged my eyes over every inch of him, my lungs aching as if I’d held my breath. Bruises decoratedhis chest, barely seen beneath the tattoos except for one right in the centre.

A sharp whistle forced my attention to the side where Langdon stood with a grin. He signed something with his hands, which made Sebastian smirk, and I simply burst into tears.

“I thought you were dead,” I cried.

Langdon crossed the room faster than Sebastian, pulling me into his arms before he winced. I stepped back, realising he had just a single bruise, one that covered half of his chest.

I didn’t get long to look before Sebastian pulled me against him, his thumb coming up to brush the tears from my cheek. “It takes more than a bullet to get Langdon down,” he commented, the deep timbre of his voice washing over me.

“He was shot.” I tried to free myself from his arms, but he simply tightened them. “Youwere shot.”