Page 196 of Sweet Venom

“You’re the one who made yourself a nook in my life, heart, and soul, and made me feel emotions I thought wereimpossible. You made me yours in every sense of the word, and I love you, Violet. I’m so far gone for you, I’d rather elope to the ends of the earth with you than live with all the riches and power without you. I know I’m not the easiest man to be around, and we started on the wrong foot, but if you let me, I’ll make you my goddess.”

“Oh, Jude.” My heart is so full, I think it’ll burst. “Why would you love someone as broken as me?”

“I’m broken, too. We can fit our pieces together until we make something whole.”

“I have so many scars.”

“I’ll kiss each and every one of them until you love them as much as I do. Besides.” He kisses the top of my nose. “I have many scars, too. The worst was covered by you.”

“Me?”

He lifts his shirt, showing me the barren tree and the umbrella. “You don’t remember it, but the first time we met, you gave me a blue umbrella and a protein bar. Even after I yelled at you to fuck off. I was bloodied and had a long gash here that I covered with this tattoo.”

“Oh. That’s why you ordered all those embroideries with the blue umbrella.” I pause. “Dahlia told me.”

“Yeah. I still have that umbrella and protein bar.”

“Oh my God. That’s so precious.” I smile, my heart overflowing with emotions. “I wouldn’t have guessed that stranger was you.”

“Am I that forgettable?”

“No.” I smile. “I just have fuzzy memories of it. I don’t think I looked at your face properly back then. You know, because I’m a scaredy-cat and was truly terrified of all the blood.”

“But you still helped.”

“I can’t stop myself from doing that—helping others in need, I mean.”

“You don’t have to. You can heal others, and I’ll protect you, sweetheart.”

“Jude…”

“Yes?”

“I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you.”

“Allowing me to stalk you, maybe?”

I chuckle. “I liked it sometimes. Knowing you couldn’t stay away.”

“Mmm. Seems like we need to explore that in further detail.”

I grin, then wrap my arm around his waist. “You’re the only person I ever wanted all for myself. The first man who made me feel special just the way I am. I love you so much more than I could admit. I’d rather be with you despite all the drama and danger than live a boring, peaceful life without you.”

“You’ll be mine for life, sweetheart?”

“Mm. Will you also be mine, Jude?”

“Always.

And then he’s kissing me, and I’m smiling through the tears.

Some need to change to find love.

I just needed to find myself with the help of the love of my life.

EPILOGUE 1 — VIOLET

A WEEK LATER