Page 90 of His to Destroy

Healing of all the demons we’ve carried on our backs for years.

He brushes his fingers through my hair, pressing a kiss to my damp forehead.

"I have something else to tell you," he murmurs after a while, voice still rough with emotion.

I tilt my head to look up at him, heart still fluttering.

"I’ve been elevated," he says. "Made Don officially."

My breath catches.

I search his face, half expecting him to look proud, triumphant.

But all I see is steady, quiet determination.

"This doesn’t change anything between us," he says fiercely. "I won’t let it. If anything, it only means I can protect you and Luca even better."

Tears prick my eyes again.

"Congratulations," I whisper, cupping his cheek. "You deserve it."

He closes his eyes at my touch like it’s the greatest blessing he’s ever received.

"But I need something from you," I say softly.

He opens his eyes, immediately alert.

"Anything."

I swallow hard.

"Promise me you'll keep Luca away from that world. Promise me he’ll never have to carry this darkness."

Without hesitation, he leans down and presses his forehead to mine.

"I swear," he says. "On my life. On my soul. Luca will have a better life. I’ll see to it personally."

I let out a shaky breath and nod.

He pulls me tighter against him, wrapping me in his arms, like he’s shielding me from every threat, every nightmare.

"I want you," he says hoarsely. "Not just for now. Forever. I want to be there for every moment. Every milestone. Every heartbeat."

Tears spill over onto my cheeks.

"And I want you too. I always have," I whisper back. "You and no one else."

He kisses me then — slow, deep, claiming.

A binding of souls, not just bodies.

I wrap my arms around him, feeling the final walls inside me crumble.

For the first time in my life, I am exactly where I’m meant to be.

Not running.

Not surviving.

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