Page 82 of The Devil's Wrath

He tensed beneath me. “It doesn’t matter.”

I pulled back. “It does matter, Theo. Whatever he said, it made you lose control out there. Please talk to me.”

Theo clenched his jaw, the muscle ticking beneath his skin. “He said that when he was done with me, he would find you and finish what he started that night at your house. That he would let all his men take turns fucking you when he was done. And this time, I wouldn’t be able to save you.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, my blood running cold at his words. The memory of Connor’s hands on me, the terror I’d felt—it all came rushing back. I started to shake, my breathing growing shallow as panic clawed at my throat.

Theo’s arms tightened around me, pulling me firmly against his chest. “Breathe, baby,” he murmured, his deep voice rumbling through me. “I’ve got you.”

I focused on the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath my cheek, letting it ground me as I fought to control my racing thoughts and inhaled his familiar scent. I slowly exhaled, forcing the tension from my body.

Theo was here.

I was safe in his arms.

Connor couldn’t hurt me anymore.

Theo wouldn’t let him.

“I’m okay,” I assured him, my voice only slightly steady.

I saw the barely contained fury simmering beneath the surface. “I should have killed him,” he growled as his hands flexed against my hips. “I would have. When he said those things, I wanted to tear him apart with my bare hands.”

“He’s never going to touch me again,” I told him.

“Not while I’m breathing.”

“My avenging devil,” I murmured affectionately, tracing his swollen lip with my thumb. “Always so ready to go to war for me.”

He caught my thumb between his teeth, nipping it gently before soothing the sting with his tongue. “Always,” he vowed.

“For right now, the only thing I want you to do is take me home. Can you do that for me?”

“I can do that,” he agreed readily, shifting me off his lap so he could stand. He swayed slightly on his feet, and I steadied him with a hand on his chest.

We exited the locker room, his arm slung possessively around my shoulders as curious onlookers gawked and whispered. I could only imagine the headlines tomorrow: “Bronze Devil Triumphs Over Golden Boy in Brutal Championship Bout!” The press would have a field day speculating about our relationship and Connor’s humiliating defeat.

Cavan met us by the back exit. “Your ride’s out back. I’ll handle the vultures,” he said, jerking his thumb toward the clamoring reporters being held at bay by security.

Theo nodded gratefully, tightening his grip on me as we slipped out the door and into the crisp night air. A sleek black car idled by thecurb, and he ushered me into the back seat before sliding in beside me with a pained grunt.

As the car pulled away from the venue, I curled into his side, mindful of his injuries. “I’m so proud of you.” I kissed his jaw. “You were amazing out there.”

He turned to capture my lips in a tender kiss. “I did it for you,” he whispered against my mouth. “Everything I do is for you.”

“I know.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

WRENLY

The ride home was quiet, the weight of the evening settling heavily on the both of us. Theo held me close, letting his hand trace idle patterns on my bare arms as he stared out the window, lost in thought. I didn’t push him to talk; I knew he would come back to me when he was ready.

When we finally arrived at the manor, he helped me out of the car, keeping a protective arm around my waist as we walked inside. Even knowing I was in the safest place I could be, he would stay close to me, my shield against the world.

The manor was quiet except for the occasional sound of a vacuum and the distant murmur of voices from the kitchen. The staff moved with hushed efficiency, careful not to disturb the manor’s residents. Theo led me upstairs to our bedroom, his steps heavy on the plush carpet. Once inside, he closed the door behind us with a soft click, shutting out the rest of the world. His face looked drawn and weary in the dim light of the room. I moved to go to him, and he pressed me up against the wall, his body caging me as he claimed my mouth. I whimpered into the kiss, my hands fisting in his hair as I arched into him, as his hands roamed over my body. I wanted him with a desperation that bordered on madness.

He broke away with a hiss of pain, and I immediately pulled back,afraid I had hurt him. “I’m so sorry,” I breathed, my hands fluttering uselessly over his battered torso. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

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