Page 101 of Ravage God

Her fingers traced across the edge of my bandage, her touch gentle, reverent. “Does it hurt?”

I shook my head. “I barely feel it.”

She shot me a look. “I’m sure that’s not true.”

I shrugged. She moved in close to me until I felt her lips on my chest. I could feel my heart reacting to that one simple kiss.

“I was so scared,” she whispered against my skin. “Not of dying… I mean, I was a little scared about that.” I smiled a bit over her confession. “But I was mostly afraid of losing you. Of watching them hurt you. I have never felt so helpless before. I didn’t… I can’t lose you, Elio.”

I wrapped my arms around her, and she buried her face in my chest. “You won’t.”

She looked up, her eyes wet with tears. “Promise me.”

“I promise,” I said without hesitation. I didn’t know if I would be able to keep that promise in our lifetime. The life expectancy for men like me was much shorter than it was for others. I knew that and hadn’t cared about it that much. But seeing the heartbreak in her eyes…

“I promise to always try my damndest to get back to you.”

Her lips trembled. “That’s all I ask.”

I nodded before leaning forward and kissing her.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me back with equal fervor.

I would always come back to her.

No matter what.

18

ISA

I wokeup in Elio’s room. It was the second night I had spent here since the run-in with Devil’s Wings MC.

I didn’t have a nightmare that first night.

But I had one last night.

It was mostly memories of that night, as blurry as it had been for me, but this morning had been particularly hard because now my nightmare had evolved. It was no longer about my memories, but of Elio dying. Of him calling out for me, and there was nothing I could have done about it.

I hated the helplessness I felt.

And I knew I was risking it by staying over at Elio’s place so much, but I just couldn’t bring myself to go home and sleep by myself.

At least here I had Elio’s arms to comfort me.

I had his strong presence.

I had everything I could ever need.

I turned to my side and faced Elio.

It was one of those rare mornings when I actually woke up before him. He did come in pretty late last night, and no matter how strong he tried to be, he was still human.

He would still get tired sometimes.

My heart hurt, but the dream lingered in my head.

Nothing can happen to you.