Page 117 of Revere
Except, it’s who he is. Would I have fallen for this man any other way? I might not have seen his Sigma House ties, but it’s a part of him.
“Because I’ve learned you can’t escape your fate, Patience. All you can do is embrace it. And only then, can you shape the outcome.”
“What outcome are you going to create?”
“Not me—us.” He picks me up, spinning until I’m sitting on the table of bloody instruments.
“You’re asking me to live in hell with you?”
“I’m asking you to help me rule it.” He shoves my knees apart, standing between them. “I’m asking you to be my queen.”
“I won’t be my mother. Some man’s trophy. Blind to what you’re doing and the destruction you cause. Silent while you do as you please.”
Jacob smirks, rolling my hips against him. “I don’t want you silent. I want your eyes wide open. Your mouth screaming at me or for me. Whatever you wish, baby. I want you to tell me exactly how you feel at all times, just like you’ve done from the start.”
“Why?” It doesn’t make sense.
He could have anyone. Someone simpler and easier to mold. Someone soft.
“Because I love you, Patience Lancaster. Like the darkness needs light to exist. I need you to define who I am. We weren’t born for easy things or a simple life. You and me—we’re born from blood. No one will understand you like I do. And no one will protect you like I will.”
“Even from the House?”
“From anything and anyone.” He brushes his lips over mine. “No one will hurt you again. You are mine now. And I’m yours.”
“No one else?”
He grins against my lips. “Never.”
Jacob plants his mouth on mine, and I submit to this mess we’ve made. This mess that bore us.
Revenge and blood and hate all swirl. And somehow, it transforms into love. Into something only the two of us can create with each other. My nails scratch the back of his neck, and I realize we aren’t that different, even if his limits stretch a bit farther than mine. We’ve both been on the altar. Our hope sacrificed. Our futures erased. But here we are.
We survived.
Maybe we can do as he says and create something new. I’d like to think I’m meant for better, but I’ve knelt in front of the cross long enough to know that not all things holy are peaceful.
It could be that I was always meant to stand at the side of the devil. At least then I would know his true face. His true motives. And even if he’s willing to bring harm to everyone else, I don’t think he would do the same to me.
He drags his teeth over my lower lip, groaning as I rock my hips on him.
“Am I supposed to call you Ezra now?” I tip my head back as he kisses my neck.
“What do you want to call me?”
“Jacob.” It’s a moan as much as an answer.
He hums, nipping at my throat. “I like it when you say my name like that.”
Slowly, he kisses lower, until he lays me down on the table before him. Only then does he stand tall, towering over me. A beast in his domain, ready to claim the girl who dared take a bite of the apple.
His hands skate up my sides, along my ribs. “Do you trust me now, Patience?”
I bite my lower lip, watching him hold me like I’m precious. And when I answer him, I believe it with every bone in my body.
“Yes.”
“Then arms up.” He circles the table until he’s looming over my head.
