Page 63 of The Ecstasy of Sin

You're insufferable.

RYKER

That’s a big word you used there, Warrick. Compensating forsomething?

GHOST

Give me 15 minutes to finish my drink, then I’m coming. I’m going to break every bone in your face.

I shake my head, and close the chat. I know Ghost is going to make good on his threat and drive all the way to the club just to punch Ryker, especially since he cleared his schedule tonight in case I need him.

I put my phone down beside me, then turn my focus back to Wren. She’s fast asleep, her face relaxed and peaceful. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen her like this, and it kills me that I’m not tucking her into my bed right now.

Dropping my hand, I feel for the hypodermic needle tucked away in my pocket, and a sigh escapes me as I lean my head back against the tree and close my eyes.

I never imaged I’d ever fall for someone, not like this. But here I am, sitting here in the darkness under a fucking tree with a homeless girl asleep in my arms. I’m letting her sleep before I upend her entire life and take over like a tyrannical psychopath.

Bringing her home is the only option.

CHAPTER 16

Wren

It’shisheartbeatthat wakes me. Strong and steady beneath my fingertips, where my hand is splayed across his chest. The rhythm soothes me.

There’s a cold breeze ghosting across my back, but it can’t rival the heat radiating off Dominic’s body where I lay nestled in his arms.

I can’t remember a time I’ve ever felt this safe, at least not since I was a child. I don’t want this moment to end. I don’t want to open my eyes and face the wreckage of my life. If I could stay here in his arms forever, I would.

But all good things must end.

When I finally open my eyes, I’m greeted by the morning light cresting the horizon. It dances across the surface of the park’s pond, rippling gold and pale blue over the still water.

When I look up at Dominic, he’s watching me with his dark forest gaze.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep and… stay asleep all night.” My voice is tranquil, like the dawn light spilling over his face. It catches in his eyes, turning them to molten emerald.

He lifts his hand to brush the hair away from my face, his fingers tracing my jaw with a gentleness I haven’t felt since my mother was alive. “Don’t be. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

He must be incredibly stiff right now, it looks like he hasn’t moved at all through the night.

I try to sit up so I can crawl off his lap and sit beside him in the grass, but his arms tighten, refusing to let me go.

He’s holding me like it’s his life’s purpose. “Why me?” I whisper, gazing up at him.

The ghost of a smile pulls at the corner of his mouth, like the question amuses him. “When you fell into me at the clinic, you found safety in my arms. You trusted me, you took comfort in my touch. It was the first time someone, other than my brothers, looked at me as anything other than a threat.”

I can’t relate to being seen as dangerous, but I can definitely relate to being labeled by the world and not being able to escape it—as hard as I may try.

Dominic has never tried to hide who he is from me. He’s never apologized for killing the man that tried to take my life. He’s made no apologies for stalking me, either.

“Youarea threat,” I tease, smiling up at him and hoping he hears the humor in my voice, not the undercurrent of unease.

His smile mirrors mine, and I let out a quiet breath of relief. “Never to you,” he starts, before the smile fades. “Unless you try to run from me again.”

“I wasn’t really running. I just wanted you to chase me.”

That brings the smile back to his face. “I know.” He leans down and presses his lips to mine in a sensual kiss, his tongue sweeping along my lower lip before pulling away.