Page 59 of His Deadly Devotion

I nod and go back to staring out the window. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her I’m married, but I don’t owe her a fucking explanation. I don’t know why women think they can be sleazy while they’re supposed to be doing a job. If the shoe were on the other foot, it’d be a problem, though.

I’m married.I smile.I have a wife.I know it’s not legally binding. We don’t need it to be. Our souls are bound. There’s no breaking that.

I need to focus on something, anything but the scenarios playing out in my head. The things I fear she’s going through at the hands of my fucking family. I’m driving myself more insane with the thoughts. She’s not breakable. I have to keep reminding myself that Aurora’s not weak. She will give them hell. That thought has my smile widening.

I know Aurora has her hang-ups about killing my parents. I didn’t react the best after Kenny. I still haven’t fully forgiven her for that. Logically, I know she wasn’t in her right mind. I know she was drugged. But she knew better than to down some random drink. I don’t blame her. Not really. I blame myself. I should have been there sooner.

Kenny was good. He had so much to live for, and out of all my shitty family members, he was the one I actually liked. I wish like hell he were here. Then again, if he were here, he’d hate me. I’ve betrayed him far worse than I could betray anyone else. Imarried the girl who killed him. I might as well have driven the knife in his neck myself.

The thing is, I can’tnotchoose her. I tried that once. It didn’t work out too well. The thought of anything happening to her has me dying bit by fucking bit. I swear to God if I don’t make it in time, I’m joining her in whatever hell is waiting for us, because there is no fucking way I’m living in a world without her by my side.

I lean my head back against the seat. I haven’t slept in three fucking days. I’m exhausted, but every time I close my eyes, they spring back open. I can’t sleep. I can’t lose time. I need to run every possible scenario in my head. I need to plan. I need contingencies in place.

I considered loading up when we land. I should be strapped. But then I realized it didn’t matter. My father will have me searched and stripped the minute I step over the threshold. I don’t need weapons, though. I’ll kill him with his own gun if I have to.

That would be kind of poetic, I think.

Or maybe I’ll hand the gun to Aurora and let her pull the trigger. After all, he took her. He’s done God only knows what to her already…

Soon. I’ll be there soon. I’ll get her out of this mess. I’ll find a way to get us both out of this mess. I’m starting to think that maybe Romeo and Juliet’s ending wasn’t all that bad. At least they didn’t have to spend their entire lives looking over their shoulders, wondering whose family was coming for them. They got to experience that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love and then they died. Together.

Not that I want that. I want to watch Aurora grow old. I want to see her achieve the greatness I know she’s capable of. I want to have babies with her. I want the whole fucking world with her.And I’m going to have it. No one is going to keep her from me. Not even the devil himself.

28

Ipromised Connor I wouldn’t give up. That promise is getting harder with every minute that passes. I have no idea how long I’ve been here. Chained to this wall. Kept in the dark. My sense of sight stolen from me while my senses of smell and sound are heightened. Which is what has me straightening.

They’re here. Again. I can smell them. The filthy fucking Irish fuckers who’ve been coming in and out. They’re trying to breakme, and I’m afraid it’s starting to work. How long can someone endure being beaten on? Groped everywhere?

My body stills, waiting for the first strike, waiting for them to move closer. Sometimes I hear them. Sometimes I don’t.

I want to scream. I want to tell them to fuck off. Unfortunately, that’s what they want. To hear the fear in my voice. I won’t give it to them.

Fuck that. I can’t wait until I’m out of these chains and can feel their blood coating my hands…

My heart picks up speed the longer I sense their presence. Why aren’t they doing anything? Are they enjoying the fact that I’m waiting?

Probably. Sick fuckers.

I haven’t decided if it’s a good thing that I can’t see or not. I can’t see the damage they’re doing to my body. I can’t see their shriveled dicks as they spray their various fluids all over my skin.

The longer they take to strike, the more my anxiety picks up. I can handle this. I will survive this. I have to. I don’t have any other choice. I refuse to break my promise to Connor.

Is he here? Are they making him watch what they’re doing to me?

I hope he never sees this. I know he’s coming. He’d nevernotcome for me. I just have to hold on until he gets here. Then again, maybe it’s better he doesn’t. I have no idea what his father will do to him. Connor can withstand pain. He can handle himself, but seeing what they’re doing to me… I’m not sure if he can handle that, because I know I wouldn’t be able to if the situation were reversed.

I hear a door, footsteps, and then a voice. “Boss wants to see you upstairs.”

Thatvoice. I know it. Am I hearing things?

There’s no reply but I can hear movement, walking, and then nothing. A minute later, someone is stepping towards me again. Not someone. Him. Patty.

Please don’t let him be in on this.It will destroy Connor to have his best friend betray him.

“What the fuck have they done to you?”

“Patty?” I ask, even though I know it’s him.