Page 303 of Satan's Spawn

I rest my head against Crayton’s shoulder and he rests with both elbows on his knees. “It’s not too late to leave the country and never come back, you know.”

Alexis sure did.

After Crayton’s initial arrest, the Ice Queen never returned from Russia. Proving even more it was her dad who had Felix killed. She told me she’d never allow me to have Crayton, and putting him in jail for life is one solid way to make that happen without killing him. Or me…because I know she’d want me to suffer through life without him.

“I’m over fighting fate, Rebecca.” Crayton shrugs. “I may not have killed Crimson, but that doesn’t wash away every other sin your God punishes.”

“Since when do you care about my God?”

An amused rumble escapes his lips. “What’s that saying? Even the devil cries on judgment day?”

With an exaggerated sigh I throw my leg over his to straddle him.

“Tomorrow is not judgment day,Crayton,” I emphasize his actual name, “and there’s still time to repent if you want to.”

He stares at me with longing in his eyes. “Why else do you think I agreed to this? I want to be a better man for you. One you deserve.”

“I never asked you to change.”

“Which is why you deserve it even fucking more.” He rebuts instantly. “I’m afraid to fuck this up, too.”

My lips curve downward. “I’m more afraid of something happening to you while you’re in there.”

He scoffs. “Now you sound just like my dad.”

I scoot closer to his chest and rest my arms on his shoulders, needing to feel more of him before he’s gone. “I’ll miss you so ducking much.”

He hits me with a raised brow. “So we’re keeping it that way then?”

Lifting my chin, my frown turns into a juvenile scowl. “I will not spend the next five years of our digital relationship wasting precious time trying to correct stupid auto-correct.”

The Beaumont’s and Cillian made sure Crayton would be safe and have access to the outside world as much as he can. So, besides the bi-monthly visits, we can also contact each other via a secret cell phone he will have.

It may not be every day, but Crayton said he will be sneaking texts as much as he can.

“You’re almost as dramatic as Beaumont.” Crayton shakes his head. “But…a fuck ton hotter.”

“Hotter, huh.” I tap a finger against my cheek. “Like how hot are we talkin’? Tip of the Bic kinda hot or blazing fires of Hell kinda hot?”

Crayton seems to think about it for a minute, then a mischievous grin stares back at me. He locks an arm around my waist, rolling us over until my head hits the sand and he’s hovering over my small frame. He growls in a freakishly good attempt at a demon voice, “Somewhere even the Devil burns.”

I slap his chest and laugh, basking in his lively spirit.

For the first time since I met Crayton, he's been attempting to see the positive side of things.

It makes me so proud, even if it hurts knowing I don’t get to enjoy him this way much longer.

It’ll be years before I can be fully in his arms again.

Tracing the ink on his body.

Listening to the beat of his softened heart.

I’ll be alone with all my love for him, feeling an empty pit in place of where my heart should be.

“Hey…” Crayton calls, sensing my trepidation. “Where’d you go?”

“Too many different places…” I echo the solemn words he told me in the past. “None of ’em good.”