I can’t believe he risked so much for something so stupid.He’s already proven himself countless times.I’ve known the truth ever since he tripped my bully in middle school.Even when he almost killed Brad, it was obvious he did it to protect and avenge me.
I need him too much for him to throw it all away on a useless experiment.
I need him as my husband, my lover, my knight in shining armor, and my feral beast.
Declan Buchanan is mine.
Only mine.
Chapter 18
Declan Buchanan
Karey drives us homeeven though being behind the wheel makes her uncomfortable.I consider offering to take over but my hands still shake too much.I refuse to put her life in danger when she’s better suited to getting us home safely.
We ride the elevator and enter the apartment in silence.Karey’s hand in mine is the only warmth in the world.I don’t dare infect her with my cursed blood but also refuse to let her go.
She doesn’t press for the rest of the evening, but when she cuddles up next to me in the bed, hands seem to close around my throat.I fight to stay awake, knowing I should sleep in the chair, but my exhausted body drags me into darkness.
My father kicks me.I jerk.Two feminine voices call my name; my mother screaming and my lover pleading.
A broken, mangled body lies at the bottom of the stairs.My father’s dead eyes stare directly into my soul.
Blinding light fills the world and objects pummel my body.I wake swinging and snarling.
Karey throws another pillow at me from across the room.
“Don’t make me take you by the ear again,” she warns.
I pivot and meet her eyes.She stands with another pillow raised and ready to throw at me.
Pressure builds in my chest.She lifts the pillow higher.
Laughter bursts from behind my sternum.It billows up from deep inside me and roars from my throat until my entire body aches.I can’t breathe.
My cupcake climbs into my lap and wraps herself around me.
“Want to talk about it?”she mumbles against my shoulder.
I shake my head.
She sighs.
“This is hurting you, Declan.I want to help.Please talk to me,” she pleads.
I splay one hand over her back and grab her ass with the other but again shake my head.
She pushes against my chest and rolls off the bed.Her anger both mesmerizes me and punches me in the gut.
“Oh, so you want the comfort of my body and that’s it?No emotions?No connection?I don’t want that kind of relationship with you.Don’t shut me out.”
I run my hands through my hair and sigh but can’t force the words from my throat.
“Fine, we’ll do this the hard way, then.I’ll start.”
She steps further away and crosses her arms over her chest.Although she starts strong, her bravado quickly crumbles.
“You left me and never came back.All I had were a few nasty words and the sight of your back as you walked away, then you weregone.Transferred schools.No contact information.”