Page 183 of Inferno

“There she is,” I murmur. “Good girl.”

She shudders.

I could offer her sleep. I could offer her warmth. I don’t think either of those will work for my girl.

I believe we are cut from the same cloth. And that maybe, just maybe?—

She needs pain.

Chapter 71

CHARLOTTE

Song, the crown, take luck

https://takeluck.komi.io

“W–where are you taking me?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, as he links his fingers through mine and leads me out of the room on shaking legs.

I hate feeling weak. I hate that he’s the one holding me up. And worse…I hate that it feels right.

“Well, we either fuck it out or fight it out. I’m using my brain for once and going for option two.”

I freeze.

He chuckles. “What? You prefer the first option, heartbreaker?”

Electricity shoots up my arm, and I swear he feels it too by the way he looks down at our hands.

His thumb brushes mine. It shouldn’t feel this way. I pull in a breath.

“Beating you on your ass is fine.”

Not that I’m in any shape to. But I’ve trained for this. I can always fight. No matter what.

He leads me down the stairs and into a long hallway. At the end, he pushes open two double doors, revealing an indoor gym.

It’s all state-of-the-art. Sleek equipment. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors. And a fucking cage in the center of the room.

Figures. These guys probably all fight like pros. Especially the big one.

Declan finally lets go of my hand, and the skin still tingles where his fingers were. He tosses the gloves to me. I catch one. The other falls to the ground with a soft thud.

Suddenly, I’m hyper aware I’m wearing only a tank top and tight black shorts. Great. Bending down, I snatch up the glove and pull both on, securing the Velcro with my teeth.

“Mats or cage?” he asks.

I scan the space. “Cage rules?”

His white teeth flash as he grins. “No rules. I can take it.”

“I’ll be gentle with you,” I say, smiling before I can stop myself.

For a second, it’s like we’re somewhere else. Another time. Just me and him.

“I don’t do gentle, sweetheart,” he replies, his deep Irish lilt dropping an octave. Butterflies erupt in my stomach.

I tighten my ponytail and climb into the cage. He follows and shuts the door behind him with a solid clang.

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