Page 50 of Angelic Vengeance

That’s not true.

“Why do you hate me?”

I think I like you.

“I killed for you.”

I long for you.

Something caught around my wrist like a vice, with so much power I thought some evil force was pulling me into the depths of the river.

I gasped as I was thrown over the surface before clashing against something hard and warm; a body.

One arm was wrapped around my waist, holding me above water as he fought to swim us to the shore. A weird feeling erupted in my chest and I forced myself to stop a sob from escaping my throat.

He caught me.

“Zach?” I barely managed to ask after coughing out mouthfuls of dirty water.

“Breathe. I’m here.”

I was so exhausted I couldn’t hold onto him. My hold weakened, and in response, he squeezed me so hard, it hurt. We reached ground in what felt like mere seconds, making me realize I probably passed out while he fought against the currents.

Laying me down on the rocks, he cupped my face in his hands. “Are you hurt?” He was breathing hard and for the first time, I saw fear in his eyes. It was a weird sight, seeing a man as strong and powerful as him portraying that emotion.

My mind turned foggy again and I was seeing spots. I absently brought my hand up to his face and slightly shook my head.

Exhaling in relief, he dropped his forehead to mine, and my chest contracted at the vulnerability. Getting to his feet, he picked me up, not wasting a second to catch his own breath.

“Zach,” My voice came out strained. “I’m fine–”

“Don’t start with me right now.”

He carried me in silence, anger radiating off him. At first, I thought he was still angry at me or maybe whoever pushed me, but the longer I watched his eyes, I saw he was angry at himself. I didn’t understand why; he’d been the one to jump in after me and save me.

To comfort him – but mainly because I was exhausted – I wrapped my arms around his neck and put my face in his chest. His body tensed for a moment before he squeezed me tighter, bringing me closer to him. I closed my eyes and sleep took over.

Her lashes fanned her cheeks as her eyes slowly opened. She looked at me with a soft expression. Something dark expanded in my chest at the fact that my eyes had been the first thing she’d seen when she woke up.

Maria frowned when her gaze left me and took in our surroundings. We were in my private elevator, going up to my penthouse.

“My place was closest.”

Another lie.

She nodded and leaned her head against my chest as I entered my apartment. When I put her down in the bathroom she was shivering uncontrollably.

I started the shower and moments later the room was fogging up. Pushing her under the hot water, I grabbed her jacket and began taking it off.

“W– What are you doing?” Her teeth clicked as she stopped me.

“You need to take these off or you’ll get pneumonia.”

“I’m n– not getting un– undressed.”

“If you don’t take your clothes off, I’ll rip them off for you.” My words came out harsher than intended, but I was too angry about how tonight had turned out to care.

She stared up at me with big green eyes while her chocolate hair, now black, began sticking to her face. Her eyebrows were knitted and her hand fisted around the material of her clothes. I held her gaze as my jaw clenched in frustration.

---