Page 72 of Thorns of Blood

“Then what, wildflower?”

“It’s stupid,” I repeated.

His jaw went rigid, but as he stroked my hair back from my face, his motions were gentle and careful.

“Seeing you with your brother…” I swallowed, looking away. “It made me…”

“You’re missing your sister.” I nodded, releasing a shaky breath. “She’s only a phone call away, Lia.”

“But what do I say?”

“That you miss her.”

I bit my bottom lip, tasting copper on my tongue.

“But I’m also mad.” He studied me, waiting for me to continue, and I inhaled a deep breath before releasing it. “I’m mad that I tried to save her and she didn’t come back for me. Neither of them did.”

I trailed off and Giovanni urged, “What do you mean?”

I shuddered in his arms. “I cut my finger off and addressed it to Kingston, yet he didn’t come for me. I thought they would come looking for me. I took Louisa’s place all those years ago; I married Santiago, for God’s sake. I went to hell and back for her and they… they’ve forgotten me.”

“Nobody could ever forget you, Lia.”

“Maybe, but I don’t think it’s for good reason,” I murmured. “You’ve got yourself damaged goods. A missing finger. Tainted morals. A woman so wrapped up in sins that redemption is impossible.”

“Fuck, it isn’t.” He sounded convinced. “Do you think I’m damaged? I have a scar, do you think any less of me?”

I narrowed my eyes on him. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re almost perfect.”

His lips twitch. “Almost, huh?”

“Too big of a compliment will make your head explode,” I grumbled. “God, you must think I’m pathetic.”

“No, I don’t,” he growled, lifting my hands to his lips, then kissing every finger, including what was left of the one I cut off.“You’re the furthest from pathetic I’ve ever seen. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. A fighter. A survivor. My wife.” Our eyes locked, drowning in each other’s darkness. “You know what my biggest regret is?”

I shook my head.

“Not stealing you from my uncle eight years ago. Since that day, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. You put a spell on me.” He let out a sardonic breath. “I know you don’t remember?—”

“I remember you.”

He stilled. “You do?”

“Not from the church,” I murmured. “But I remember you walking in on me when I was sitting in Santiago’s office.”

The corners of his lips lifted. “Obviously I didn’t leave a remarkable impression.”

I sighed.

“I was so worried about surviving Santiago that I wouldn’t remember God himself if I met him.” Lifting my hand to the scar on his eye, I asked, “Did Santiago give this to you?”

“Ironically, no.”

“Who was it?” I demanded. “If they’re alive, I can kill them.”

He barked out a laugh, dark and devilish. “I believe you would, but in this instance, the scar was a product of me lying and protecting my sister and her friend. No need to kill anyone.”

I nodded somberly. “But if you need it, the offer still stands.”