“I’ve wanted you for years. But I’m not some psycho asshole who is going to take advantage when you’re scared. I can control myself. Always have. Always will.” She needed to understand this. “You have nothing to ever fear from me.”
“You’ve…wanted—what?” Her words ended in a little squeak.
Oh, yes. He was one hundred percent oversharing. And if it hadn’t been helluva-late-o’thirty, he would have shut his fool mouth. But, nope, he just opened it and said, quite clearly, “I’ve wanted you for years.”
“But, you’re…you’re Forth’s best friend—”
“Absolutely. Would die for him in an instant.” But I would also gladly die—or kill—to protect you.
“You’re my little brother’s—”
His hands fell to his sides. Deliberately, he closed in on her. She retreated, backing toward the den. Toward the tree with the lights that gleamed softly. “I’m not so little any longer.”
He’s the king of destruction, and he’s allergic to all things good. He has three days to convince Mercy Josephine–the descendant of an angel–to give up her soul for him. Should be a snap. After all, it’s not like the big, bad monster in the dark would ever fall for his prey…
Want a teaser?
“I don’t want to be ripped apart.”
“Then you won’t be.” Fuck. Why had he just said that? He— “I won’t let anyone rip you apart.”
Her lashes fluttered. “Thank you.”
Pain knifed through him. Truly, like a knife had just stabbed his foolish self right in the stomach. Then twisted. Why in the name of heaven and hell had he just vowed to protect her? He didn’t protect anyone. He usually threw victims to the wolves, not the other way around. He didn’t shield victims from attacks.
“I’ll destroy the wolves,” Xavier offered. A casual offer. Like he was just telling her he could take out the trash. “Annihilate their whole pack. No one fucks with what belongs to me.”
Her temples ached. The throbbing got worse with every word. “I don’t want you destroying anything for me.”
“Fine. I’ll do it for shits and giggles.”
She reached out and touched his arm. He was solid and warm beneath her fingers. “You are real.”
“Your own walking, talking nightmare.” The red flared hotter in his gaze. “You aren’t crazy. You’re just prey. Monsters are drawn to you. Probably were drawn to your mother, too. You really saw them kill her. You didn’t imagine a damn thing.”