Page 18 of The Devil's Wrath

“Hold on tight,” Theo instructed over his shoulder. I tentatively placed my hands on his waist, feeling the hard muscles beneath his shirt. He revved the engine, and then we were off, tearing out of the parking lot at a speed that made my heart leap into my throat.

I instinctively tightened my grip around his waist as we merged onto the main road, the wind whipping past us. The city blurred by in a streak of lights and colors as we wove through the evening traffic. Despite my initial fear, something about the ride thrilled me, something about the raw power of the motorcycle thrumming beneath me.

We rode for what felt like hours, leaving the city behind until we reached the outskirts, where the city gave way to winding country roads lined with towering trees. Eventually, Theo stopped at a scenic overlook and cut the engine. I climbed off the bike, my legs unsteady, and removed my helmet.

“This doesn’t look like my house,” I teased. But I’d admit, the view was breathtaking. The sun was starting to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Below us, the city was sprawled out like a glittering jewel. “It’s beautiful,” I murmured, walking over to the cliff’s edge and staring into the dark blue water below.

Theo came to stand beside me, his presence solid and reassuring. “I come here sometimes when I need to clear my head,” he said, his voice soft. “It helps put things in perspective.”

I glanced at him, taking in his profile. The setting sun cast a warm glow on his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the curve of his full lips. For a moment, I allowed myself to admire this enigmatic man who had quite suddenly become such a significant part of my life.

“Thank you,” I said finally, “for what you did back there. And thank you for what you did for me last night and this morning. I seem to owe you a lot of thank-yous for the past twenty-four hours.”

Theo turned to face me fully, his green eyes intense. “You don’t have to thank me, Raven. I meant what I said before—if you need anything, I’m here. You don’t have to face this alone.”

His words, spoken so sincerely, brought a lump to my throat. I swallowed hard, blinking back the sudden tears that threatened to fall.

“I just . . . I can’t figure out why you’re doing all this,” I murmured. “Why are you helping me? You hardly know me.”

Theo paused, his eyes thoughtful as he gazed out over the cityscape. “Let’s just say I understand what it’s like to feel stuck, like you’re suffocating under the weight of someone else’s expectations and demands.”

I examined his face, trying to decipher the emotions that flickered in his eyes. There was pain and empathy, as if he was all too familiar with the feeling of being trapped. But he had no clue about the secrets I harbored or the expectations that weighed me down. And he never would. No one would. As long as I kept up the facade, everything would be okay.

“I’m sorry,” I said softly.

Theo shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t be. We all have our demons, our battles to fight. What matters is that we don’t let them define us.”

His words struck a chord deep within me. How many times had I let Connor’s actions and words define who I was? How many times had I let others’ expectations dictate my choices and my life?

“Easier said than done,” I murmured, my gaze dropping to my hands. “Sometimes it feels like no matter what I do, I can’t escape my past, can’t escape the person everyone expects me to be.”

Theo’s hand came to rest on my shoulder, the warmth of his touch seeping through my shirt. “The only expectations that matter are the ones you set for yourself, Raven. You’re the only one who gets to decide who you are and who you want to be.”

I looked up at him, my eyes searching his. There was a depth of understanding there, a kindred spirit who recognized the struggle within me. Standing on that cliff’s edge with the sun dipping below the horizon, I felt an inexplicable bond with Theo. Despite our short acquaintance, he seemed to see me in a way no one else ever had.

“I’m not sure I even know who I want to be anymore,” I admitted softly.

His hand slid from my shoulder to cup my cheek, his thumb gentlybrushing over the bruise Connor had left. I flinched slightly at the contact but didn’t pull away. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, so different from the harsh grip of Connor’s fingers.

“Then take the time to figure it out,” Theo said softly. “You have your whole life ahead of you, Raven. Don’t let anyone else dictate how you live it.”

I leaned into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed briefly. When I opened them again, he was watching me intently, his green eyes darkened with an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher.

“What if I don’t like what I find?” I whispered, voicing the fear that had haunted me for so long. “What if I’m not the person I thought I was, the person everyone expects me to be?”

“Then you’ll adapt,” Theo replied. “You’ll grow and change and become the person you were meant to be. And the people who truly care about you will be there every step of the way.”

A lone tear escaped, trailing down my cheek. Theo wiped it away with the pad of his thumb, his touch lingering on my skin. With the sun setting in front of us and the world seemingly holding its breath, I felt something shift between us. The air grew heavy with an unspoken tension, a gravitational pull that drew us closer together.

There was barely a breath between us now. His hand still cupped my face, his thumb gently caressing my cheek. My heart pounded in my chest, and I wondered if he could hear it over the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below.

Time seemed to slow as he leaned in closer, his eyes fixed firmly on my face. I felt the warmth of his breath mingling with mine. The world fell away for a moment along with Connor, my past, and the burdens of expectations. All that existed was this moment, this connection sparking between us like electricity.

His lips touched mine, gentle and tentative at first. But as I leaned in, the kiss intensified, growing more urgent and passionate. His hand found its way into my hair, cradling the back of my head as he drew me nearer. I melted into him, my hands clutching the front of his shirt.

It was like nothing I had ever experienced. Kissing Connor had always been harsh and demanding, a battle for dominance. But withTheo, it was a give-and-take, a push-and-pull that left me breathless and aching for more.

Once we separated, we were both panting for breath. Theo leaned his forehead against mine, eyes shut as he attempted to steady himself.

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