Page 102 of The Light Within

Then Julien’s eyes narrowed, and his smile dropped. “He’s taken both of them from me, and now he’s trying to take you from me.”

“I won’t let him.” Exactly how Cinn would ensure that was a problem for later.

“But you’re not just in danger from him. It’s me as well. This morning proved that.” Julien ran his hand up the arm of Cinn’s hoodie to where the makeshift bandage was. “You can’t trust me not to hurt you, Cinn.” Julien grabbed Cinn’s shoulders. He sobered, lowering his voice to say, “And I know you wish you were back in London,” like a confession.

What? Where the hell did this come from?

Reeling, Cinn’s mouth fell open in shock.

“So you should go back there, right now. Hide away somewhere.” Julien squeezed Cinn’s arms, digging in painfully, then stared down at the ground. “I know it’s only a matter of time before you leave, anyway.”

Mewas the unspoken word.

For one, Cinn was pretty sure being in a different country wouldn’t protect him, but he moved past that argument.

“Julien,” Cinn said through gritted teeth. “Stop.”

A flash of defiance crossed Julien’s face, his jaw twitching.

Cinn slapped him. Once, lightly, on the cheek.

“Listen, you muppet.” Cinn wriggled free from Julien’s tight grip and wrapped his arms around Julien’s waist, pulling him close. Resting his chin on Julien’s shoulder, Cinn spoke softly into his ear. “I’m not going anywhere, you idiot. Do you really think I’d just walk away from all this?”

At Cinn’s words, Julien settled slightly into the embrace, holding Cinn in return, trailing a tentative palm across Cinn’s back.

“I don’t know what you take me for, but I’m in this for the long haul. Why you’ve got this idea in your head that I’d rather be back in London is beyond me.”

Cinn pulled away to clasp Julien’s head with both hands, looking deep into the grey eyes that captured his heart the first time they met, even if he didn’t know it then.

“There is nowhere,nowhereI’d rather be than with you, wherever you are. Do you hear me?”

Julien’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

“So, I’m sorry, but you’re stuck with me. Besides, I just promised your mother’s spirit I’ll look after you. I’ve already got Béatrice haunting me. I don’t want your mum as well.”

Julien’s breath caught. “What did she say?”

“Very little. But she didn’t need to. I could sense the love for you and Béatrice pouring out of her.”

Speaking of love…

“Also…” Cinn inhaled a deep breath to settle the wildfire of nerves igniting in his stomach. “I know this is weird timing, but I tried to say this yesterday, twice, actually.”

A puzzled frown from Julien.

“Once at the Eiffel Tower, and then again when you were asleep.”

“Cinn—” Julien looked past his shoulder.

“So, just so you know, for the record—”

“Wait—”

“Bloody hell, Julien, can you not just give me one more second to finish!”

The frown deepened. “But—”

“I love you, okay?” Cinn screamed at him, then cringed at his frantic declaration. “Just so you know.”

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