Page 4 of His Deadly Devotion

“I’m never wrong,” my father states, as if his word is law.

“About this you are. He is my person, Papa. I know he is,” I say, a little deflated.

“Does he know that? Does he want to be your person, Aurora?”

“He just saved my life. He lied to his family to cover up what I did. He is loyal to me even when he doesn’t want to be,” I insist.

I have no doubt where Connor’s loyalties lie. He, however, hates that he is always choosing me. I can’t make him forgive me, or move on. What I can do is not give up on us. I can be the anchor we need to hold us steady while we get through this storm.

“I don’t like it, Aurora,” Papa says.

“I know, but we don’t get to choose who we fall in love with,” I remind him.

“They aren’t going to stop looking for you.His familyisn’t going to stop coming after you. And until we have them all, you need to keep out of the city. Do you really think that boy is going to leave everything he’s ever known for you?”

I consider my father’s question. Can I really expect Connor to give up his legacy to be with me?

No. There has to be another way. I don’t know what it is, but there has to be. Then again, Connor has never been that thrilled about taking over the family business.

“I know that he will choose me, Papa,” I say with a newfound confidence. He ran when his family turned up. He could have stayed in that cabin. He could have handed me over to them on a silver platter. But he didn’t. He chose to save me. “Whatever it takes, we will do it.”

“I have connections at the church. It’s not too late to choose a life of serving God,” Papa suggests.

I smirk. It is actually. But if I voice that out loud, I might as well put a bigger target on Connor’s forehead. Although my father already knows I’m not as innocent as he wants to believe I am, I’ll let him continue to live in that denial. It’s safer for everyone.

“I know this is hard for you, but it’s time, Papa. You have to let me go,” I tell him.

He scoffs. “That is never happening. I don’t care how old you get. I’m never letting go of you, Aurora. You will forever be my little girl.”

I stand and wrap my arms around him. “Good.” When I pull back, I smile up at my father. “You’re going to like him, you know? Connor.”

“Don’t count on it,” Papa grunts and walks out of the living room.

I have no doubt that he will continue to hate Connor, while secretly liking him. How could you not like Connor? He is perfect. And the way he loves me, well, I’ve never experienced that kind of devotion.

My mind goes back to what he told me in the cabin. How he gave up two innocent Albanians to cover for me. I hate that two people died—no, not just died. They were tortured. All because of Connor’s deadly devotion towards me.

He’s going to pick me. I know he is. He can’tnot… right?

Shit, I should have thought to bring the zip ties. What if he wants to leave? My father and brother are not going to let me tie him up until he changes his mind. Which means I need a plan. I need to find a way to stop him from wanting to leave when he wakes up… on the off chance he doesn’t choose me.

Think, Aurora, think.

I could fake an injury, tell him I need help. I could cry. Though I doubt my tears would affect him the way they do my father and brothers. It used to be my go-to with them whenever I wanted to get my way. Connor isn’t going to be as easy to win over. I need something big. Something he can’t walk away from. I just don’t know what that something is.

I’m making my way back down the hall towards the bedroom when I hear shouting. “Aurora! What the fuck have you done to her? Where is she? Aurora!” Connor’s scream booms through the house.

I rush forward, push the door open, and stare at the man I love with everything I have as he faces off withanotherman I love. Just in a very different way. My brother.

“Connor.” My voice is quiet. I don’t know why now is the moment those damn butterflies in my stomach choose to make an appearance. My skin ignites with awareness as he runs his eyes over me. “It’s okay. I’m okay,” I assure him as I make slow steps in his direction.

3

She’s here. Aurora. My eyes take their time inspecting every inch of her. Looking for any sign of blood…

I woke up in a bed, and she wasn’t here. Flashbacks of a rifle aimed at her head immediately entered my mind, and I lost it. All the worst-possible scenarios played on repeat, and I felt physically sick at the thought that I wasn’t fast enough. ThatI didn’t save her. That she was gone, and all I could think was that she didn’t know…

She didn’t know how much I love her. I never told her how much I truly love her, how much I was prepared to sayfuck itand leave everything behind. If she was willing to run with me. She didn’t know that she is the single most important person in this world, the only one who matters.