Page 65 of His Retribution

I blink away a flood of memories that threaten to spill and reach out, grab the hilt with a shaky hand. My eyes flick to Andrej's and his lips tilt up just a bit.

He knows.

He sees my recognition.

And he likes it.

With a nod, I slide the dagger into the top of my panties, thankfully without flashing Andrej in the process. "I'm going to need time alone with him. No interruptions. You think you can make that happen?"

"I may not be the king but I am eldest and my brothers know that what I say goes.” He gives me a nod, his black eyes twinkling. "I will give you your time, so long as you make good use of it."

I'm not totally sure what the king comment was all about but I get the rest of it.

Don't cross big brother.

God, I like Andrej so much.

Totally helps that he has Havok's best interest at heart, has his back without question. Definitely a plus in my book to be devoted to the man I love. Lots of brownie points.

Shit.

I love Havok.

I'm in love with Havok.

There is no more maybe, no more falling.

I fell.

Hard and fast.

He just dropped into my life—or maybe I dropped into his—like a storm brewing for ages and that storm knocked down and blew apart each of my carefully constructed walls to the point that all that's left is rubble and dust.

And maybe it's my naive, inexperienced heart that was so eager to latch onto anyone that gave me time and attention the way Havok did, the desperate need to feel something other than afraid and alone, but somewhere in the back of my mind I know that's not true.

I love him because he's everything I secretly allowed myself to wish for.

Funny. Kind. So smart.

Thoughtful. Sweet. Selfless.

Havok is everything I've ever wanted in a man, more than I could have asked for, and I've been hopeless since the second he blew into my life.

Love was inevitable, really, and now it's just a matter of what to do with it.

Do I tell him? Risk rejection, risk more pain and the possibility of heartbreak just so I can say I fell in love with a beautiful soul for a little while?

Then again, loving someone like Havok isn't something you can do for just a little while. I imagine that whatever my fate has in store, whatever happens to me over this next week wouldn't be able to stop a love like the one I feel for him. I am almost positive that someone like Havok is meant to be loved for all time and I have a funny feeling that I will love him even after the man with the soulless eyes comes for me. This kind of love is meant to last forever.

Shit.

"Little one?"

My eyes shift from the rag in my hand to Kai, a puzzled look on his face, a touch of concern swirling in his red and black eyes.

"Are you alright? Is it your head?"

I shake said head. "I'm fine, sorry. Just a little lost in thought."