Page 253 of Inferno

“Declan,” I breathe out.

“Heartbreaker.” His voice breaks, and I run to him, wrapping my arms around him as we collide.

He pulls back and holds my cheek.

“Are you okay?” he whispers, and I nod. His gaze glances down my body and he hisses, shaking his head. The fury is evident as his jaw ticks, and he spins to face Vlad.

“You left marks on my girl, Vlad. You left fucking marks!” he shouts.

Before Vlad can respond, Declan fires another bullet into his good knee.

The screams of his agony are a sweet symphony to me.

“I’m going to let her bring hell down on you, Vlad. And I’m going to enjoy watching every fucking minute,” Declan grits out as Vlad rolls around the floor.

Declan slams his boot on Vlad’s throat.

“Come here, baby.” Declan motions to me and I step forward.

He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me snug against his side. My breath hitches as he tips my chin up with his hand, covered in brass.

“Remember how I told you if you burn, I’ll burn right beside you?”

I nod and slide my hands up his chest.

“Yes. How could I forget?”

He frowns, his head tipping to the side as he leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek.

“I was wrong. That isn’t love. What I should have said is that I will push you out of the way of the flames and burn for you. Because I fucking love you, heartbreaker. So goddamn much. And that’s what I realized. Love is burning for the other person. Not with them.”

Tears well in my eyes as he strokes my cheek.

“Before we end this, once and for all, I need you to know that. I need you to know how much I adore you, just as you are. I’m going to tell you every single day for the rest of my life. My heart beats for you.”

I grab his throat and drag his lips down to mine, pouring every ounce of me that I have left to give.

“I’m not sure how much of my heart I have left, but you and Isabella, you two own all of it. You saved me, Declan Quinn. Without even realizing it, you brought me back to life; you allowed me to survive. You gave me hope. I love you, Declan, and I will until the day I finally lose the fight. I will love you with everything I am and everything that I am yet to become.”

Vlad’s groans cause Declan to growl, so he stamps his boot down harder.

“Shut the fuck up, asshole. Don’t ruin this beautiful moment,” he spits out, and I can’t help but giggle.

“This is exactly how our story should go,” I whisper, and Declan shakes his head.

“I’ll take any plot twist that means I get the woman of my dreams and our little girl. It doesn’t matter how we got here, all that matters is the Queen is safe, and the bad man is about to lose his life in the most excruciating way to pay for his sins.”

I nod, my hands beginning to tremble as I glance down at my tormentor.

Helpless and weak on the floor.

My eyes go wide and my heart stops as a swarm of men enter the door. It’s soon replaced by relief as I recognize Finn, holding a black duffle bag in one hand and a fucking automatic rifle in the other.

“Where do you need me?” he asks.

A lightbulb goes off in my head.

“In the barn, Finn. Go help Drago. Please.”

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