Page 65 of Redemption (Devil Dogs of the Apocalypse #4)

Who am I to take a person’s choice away from them?

To hold them hostage from what they truly want in life?

I could wrap Alessandra in bubble tape and lock her in a coat closet if it meant she’d stay away from David and his sycophants, but she’d hate me for it in the end.

And, being as stubborn and bullheaded as I remember her to be, I’m sure she’d still find a way to sneak into the town regardless of my attempts to keep her from the horrors hidden within plain sight.

But she doesn’t know the town like I do; the hidden nooks and crannies where they keep their dirty little secrets, or the names of those amongst the people who are actually trustworthy and then the names of those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Alone, there’s a high probability of something going wrong.

At least if I take her with me, there’s a chance she’ll be safe.

Without any further preamble or argument, I say, “But, even still, you win.”

“I.... What?”

I lick my lips as I stare up into her breathtaking gaze and smile, knowing if this is all I’m going to get, I’m going to relish in her glorious radiance for as long as I’m able.

“Mi Alma, I’m done fighting. If this is what you want, I’m going to give it to you.

Plus, with both of us together, I can make sure you’re safe while we find the guys. ”

Silence descends around us, skepticism and confusion filling her gaze as she processes my surrender.

Her brows turn down, but hope radiates as the corner of her mouth tweaks up.

“Well... Ok then. About damn time someone listened to me around here.” She looks to the tree from earlier and points excitedly towards it.

“Fuck yeah, I did!” Her sudden enthusiasm brings a smile to my lips and a small huff of a laugh in response.

She turns back to me expectantly, looking down at her very aggressively offensive activewear.

“So, how are we going to make this work, then? Just walk in?”

I know under all the opposing viewpoints, there has to be a common ground here. If she won’t allow me to leave her safely confined outside of the community’s reach, then I need to adjust my tactics and weigh the options.

First off, she’s a woman. Not that that makes her weak, by any means—in fact, she’s the complete opposite from what I’ve seen—but it puts a spotlight on her. She’s, as David often puts it, a highly sought-after asset .

Once David gets word of her arrival—and he will—her processing will be expedited.

She’ll be placed in quarantine for immediate testing and given priority status with regard to her results.

Once obtained, she’ll be whisked off directly to Ascension House and locked away.

It could take a day... or an hour. We have no idea.

At night, there may be fewer people milling about, giving us more freedom and time to get the answers we need, but there’s still security everywhere, and they don’t give a shit about what they do when no one is looking.

The starved men residing within the town’s limits are going to assume she’s open game and take her without any remorse before turning her over for processing.

During the daytime, it’s different. There won’t be any potential for a direct assault on her right there on the road in the middle of the township.

Too many witnesses. She’ll be kept safe and secure for the entire duration.

But with everyone awake and milling about, she’ll be spotted immediately.

Once that happens, it’ll only be a matter of time for them to indoctrinate and place her on one of those pedestals.

I still have direct access to those facilities if she’s sent there, but, regardless, it doesn’t make me feel any better about the decision.

Both options suck, as far as I’m concerned, but after bouncing them both back and forth for a few minutes, I decide to go for the one least likely to draw attention.

I’ll have to hide my face to protect my identity and not blow my cover in case things go wrong, but that’s easily done with a balaclava or a ski mask.

And, apart from tying her to the bedpost back at the safehouse—which Alessandra has confirmed that eventhe tightest of knots will not keep her away.

Nor will it keep anyone else from finding her trussed up like a convenient little snack—it’s the best option we have.

I rise to my feet to collect the drone, repacking it and the controller into my bag while informing her of my plan, as well as some contingencies just in case.

A few minutes later, we’re ready— let’s face it, not even close to ready —to embark on the worst mission of my career: leading the love of my life into the most despicable place imaginable.

“Ok. Now, listen, I’m going to need you to trust me— only me —while we’re in there.”

“I do trust you, Darius,” she replies instantly, shocking me but also dousing me with relief at the fact that she does. “But I have to ask... after all that... why’d you suddenly agree?”

My smile grows solemn as memories rush in.

“I thought back on the man who saved me: Baylor. I saw him give up his life on that road because, in the end, that’s what he wanted, and he asked me not to interfere.

He also told me to find you in this mess and love you like you deserved all along.

That’s exactly what I’m doing.” I sigh dejectedly, shaking my head while grinning at the irony.

“Redemption is a fickle, humbling thing, but I’m positive it’s why I’m still alive to this day.

I’ve much to atone for, and I’ve only just begun where you’re concerned. ”

My gaze meets hers again as I take her hand in mine.

“You’re asking me to do the same thing—to not interfere in your decision—because getting your guys back is what you want above all else.

I’m not going to keep you from saving those guys, but damn it all to Hell if you think I’m not going to make sure you’re kept safe while doing so.

” My fingers tense, surrounding her smaller ones as I make my last promise to the only woman in my life.

“I have no idea what the future holds, whether we’ll survive this or not.

But, like I said, I’ve always been yours.

And I will protect you and love you, unconditionally, until my dying breath. ”

Reaching under my collar, I pull out the necklace I originally gifted her. “It’s always been yours, Mi Alma. Only yours. And whether you love me or hate me or want to kill me after all this, it’ll never be anyone else’s.”

Her eyebrows scrunch as she takes in the gem and the surrounding metal.

The memory of me giving her this piece of affection and of her returning it to my remorseful hands later on.

The meaning I placed upon the small token of my love, and the truth that it’s never truly diminished in all the years we’ve been apart.

Recognition fills her gaze as she meets mine once again.

“Are you telling me you’ve been wearing this the entire time? ”

“I’ve never taken it off, Alessandra. Whether you realized it or not, you’ve always been with me through everything. In all those years, you were my rock, my morality, my faith, my determination, my strength to live.

You.

Are.

My.

Soul.

Mi Alma.

And that’s not about to end just because you love someone else.”