Page 139 of The Devil's Trials

I love this woman so fucking much.

I know in my core I don’t deserve Camille’s love, butI need it.

“I don’t care if you have to be the cold, emotionless demon king in public,” she continues, “so long as you are the man I love when we’re alone.” Her lips part in a silent gasp as she realizes what she’s just admitted aloud.

I close the distance between us, clasping her cheeks in my palms. “You love me?”

Her pulse races, her eyes flicking between mine as they shine with unshed tears. She licks her lips, exhaling a short breath before she says, “I do.”

THIRTY-FOURCAMILLE

Xander’s lips crash down on mine without warning in a kiss that’s equal parts possessive and sincere. It’s filled with an intense urgency that kicks my heart rate up and catches me completely off guard. One of his hands drops to grip my hip before he snakes his arm around me, tugging me against his chest as his other hand glides into my hair.

I close my eyes and loop my arms around his neck, tilting my head back to deepen the kiss as our breaths mingle, and I push my tongue into his mouth, claiming him. There will be no doubt that he is mine—I will erase any trace of it. I’m done with the back and forth, questioning my gut and how I feel about him.

I grip the back of his neck, tangling my fingers in his hair and throwing every wild emotion whipping through me into the kiss.

Xander does the same with equal fervor, and our hearts beat like drums against our chests where they’re pressed together as the heat of his body radiates to warm my skin.

I decide at this very moment that nothing in this world—or the underworld—will keep us apart.

I will destroy anything or anyone that tries.

We kiss until my head spins and my lungs burn, and I lose myself in the waves of emotion flooding through me.

Xander breaks the kiss, breathing heavily. He rests his forehead against mine and says, “If we don’t stop…” He trails off, but the intention of his words is clear.

“I know,” I tell him, keeping my eyes shut as I catch my breath. “I need to shower and get dressed.”

“Hear me out,” he offers in an amused tone.

“Xander,” I warn, though I can’t fight the subtle upward curve of my lips as I blink my eyes open.

He chuckles, teasing the hair at my temple, then pulls away with a brief kiss to my forehead. “I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready.” His phone chimes, and he takes it out as he steps back. “Change of plans. Harper is driving as it’s faster than waiting at the airport for the next flight, so she’ll be here in about three hours.”

An echo of excitement blooms in my chest, but it’s overshadowed by the weight of concern for Danielle.

Xander pockets his phone and brushes his knuckles against my cheek before leaving the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

With Harper arriving, I’ll have another voice of support to go after my sister and bring her back from hell. It’s no secret that Xander’s not sold on the idea of me going, and there’s still a lot to figure out—including telling my parents—but we’re going to make it work.

I refuse to accept anything different.

I rush outside the second Harper pulls into the driveway shortly before dinner time. She’s barely out of the car before I throw my arms around her neck, and she wraps hers around my waist, hugging me just as fiercely.

We’re both sniffling, in tears when we pull back, and I wipe hers away as she does the same to mine.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” Part of me wants to ask how she managed to get away so abruptly, but selfishly, I don’t care one bit. The only thing that matters to me right now is that she’s here.

I help get her bags inside and carry them up to the room I’ve been staying in before we meet Xander and Blake in the main living room. A fire crackles in the massive fireplace, and the guys sit on opposite sides of the glass coffee table, Blake in one of the arm chairs and Xander on one side of the couch.

They stand as we come into the room, and Harper blows out a heavy sigh. “I need a drink,” she says before either can speak.

“Nice to see you too, love,” Blake remarks in an amused tone.

“Bite me,” she shoots at him.

He smirks. “Nah, you’d enjoy it too much.”

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