Page 99 of The Diávolos: Part Two
I don’t even know where to start. My mind and heart are conflicted. A part of me wants to let Evander in again, but the other is telling me to still be wary. He’s deceived me once; he can do it again.
But the sincerity in his voice and eyes make me crack.
“I still can’t believe that my father killed my mother. Her death might’ve been an accident, but he was already killing her slowly. I feel so guilty for not helping her, Evan,” I cry.
Evan wraps his arms around me, and our chests collide, slippery and wet. I mold to his body like a puzzle piece. He squeezes me, and I sob into his chest, letting the pain release from my body.
“It wasn’t your fault,moró mou. You didn’t cause your mother’s death and your father made his own decisions. You were the light in yourmama’s life. You have to know that,” Evander says.
“I can’t help but feel that if it weren’t for me, she would’ve never been bound to such a terrible man. If she never fell pregnant, she would have spared herself.”
“Angelica, if your mother hadn’t gotten pregnant, she would’ve been initiated as a nun, which would’ve caused her much more confusion and pain. She was dealt a shitty hand, but at least she came out with a fucking perfect daughter,” Evander soothes, and my heart warms.
He’s right. Being pregnant was the only waymamacould’ve left that place. But it still doesn’t take away the guilt.
Evan steps back to stare at me. I’m fully naked, wet, and vulnerable, yet I don’t feel embarrassed by his perusal. His gaze travels down my body, his eyes full of heat, but there’s something else behind the hungry look. Genuine concern and care.
He steps behind me and bunches my hair in his hands, squeezing some shampoo on the ends. With his fingers, he spreads the soapy substance all over my head, focusing on my scalp and easing my tension away.I could get used to this.
“We will avenge your mother. We will bring down your father. And I’ll take all the pain away,” Evander softly whispers in my ear.
“What if you’ve also caused me pain?” My voice is barely audible over the running water.
“Then I’ll punish myself too, Angelica. I know I don’t deserve you, but it doesn’t change the fact that I want you. More than my revenge, more than my business, more than anything in this fucking world. You’re my wife, and I’ll fight for you until I die. Even if you don’t love me anymore, I’ll never stop loving you.”
I stand motionless, absorbing his words.Even if you don’t love me anymore.
Internally, I laugh. Because I could never stop loving him. There’s no universe in which Evan and I don’t end up together. But I just can’t bring myself to admit it yet.
Evan resumes washing my hair, bringing my head under the spray of water. If he took my silence as a rejection, he doesn’t let it show.
“I’m selfish, Angelica. I’ve always been, but more when it comes to you. I’ve spent my entire life thinking about myself and what was best for my business, my family, my plans, not worrying about the consequences of my actions. It never mattered, because what was best for me was always what was best for my people.” Evan reaches for the brush that hangs in the shower and starts detangling my hair from the bottom up.
“Then I met you and learned how amazing, funny, and strong you are. How you don’t take shit from anyone—especially me. You’re a better person than I’ll ever be. You deserve someone who doesn't play with your emotions or string you along for theirdevious plan. But despite that, the only person I want you to ever need isme.”
His words burn a hole in my chest. One that could never be filled by anyone but him. He’s broken me into pieces I thought he wouldn’t be able to fix again, but he might be starting to prove me wrong.
When Evan is done brushing my hair, he washes my body, and I let him trace every inch of my naked frame, allowing his hands to glide over my curves. His fingers leave prickles in their trail, and my body responds to his touch.No, Angie. It’s one thing when he fucks you in the dark—when it’s just about pleasure and release—but giving yourself to him like this would be way too vulnerable,I remind myself, despite the urgent need that’s building in my core.
Surprisingly, Evan doesn’t try to touch me likethat, even though his growing erection prods my backside.
“Evan, I—” I start, but he cuts me off.
“It’s okay, baby. You don’t need to say anything. Let me take care of you.”
His words sound so final, as if he’s trying to take in this moment—like it’s our last.
When we’re done showering, he gets out first and hands me a towel.
As soon as I step out of the water, Evan hoists me up in his arms.
“Oh!” I exclaim, not expecting this princess treatment.
Laying me on top of his bed, he bends down in front of me, putting himself at the perfect level for me to ogle his inked chest, his dark, wet hair falling over his eyes. In the shower, I didn’t allow myself to look for too long, afraid of the effect his naked body would have on me. But now, I can’t help but stare at the droplets of water running down his pectoral muscles to his cookie-cutter stomach. Evan notices me staring.
“Like what you see, angel?” He chuckles, a wicked glint in his eyes.
I squeeze my lids shut and shake my head, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden.
