Page 157 of Watch Me Burn
“You do.” His thumb strokes across my knuckles.
“I helped you cover up Caleb’s death.” My voice comes out steady despite the magnitude of the admission.
“You did.” There’s no shame in his voice, no regret. “And that secret binds us tighter than any wedding vow could.”
My heart rate spikes at the words “wedding vow.”
I turn to face him. “That’s what I mean. Our relationship, the future of it, isn’t built on normal things. It’s forged in blood and lies and choosing each other over everything else.”
“Is that a problem?” His eyes search mine.
I examine the question, turning it over in my mind. Twenty-four hours ago, I would have said yes. I would have run screaming from this reality. But that was before I understood what we really are to each other.
“No. It’s the opposite. Because you’ve shown me the absolute worst of yourself, and I’ve chosen to stay. I’ve become complicit in your crimes. There’s nothing left to hide.”
“No more secrets.” His free hand cups my face, his thumb brushing my cheekbone. “I promised you that.”
“And I trust you.” The words feel like jumping off a cliff, but the fall is exhilarating. “Which is insane, because you lied to me for months. But I trustyou more now, after seeing everything, than I would if you’d been honest from the start.”
His eyebrows rise. “How’s that logic work?”
“Because now I know what you’re capable of.” I lean into his touch. “The manipulation, the violence, the cold calculation. And I know you’ve chosen not to use any of it against me anymore. You’ve given me power over you by telling me the truth. I could destroy you with what I know.”
“You could.” There’s no fear in his admission.
I brush my lips against his. “But I won’t. Just like you won’t betray me again. Because the cost is too high for both of us.”
“Mutually assured destruction as the foundation of a relationship.” His mouth quirks. “That’s healthy.”
“It’s honest.” I stand, pulling him up with me. “We’re not a normal couple, Damien. We’re never going to be normal. But we’re real.”
He draws me close, his forehead pressing against mine. “Real enough that it scares the shit out of me.”
“Good.” I slide my hands up his chest, feeling his heart race beneath my palms. “You should be scared. I’ve seen the monster under your mask, and I’m not running. That makes me dangerous.”
“You’re the most dangerous thing in my life. Luna.” His voice drops to a whisper. “Because you’re the only person who could actually hurt me.”
This man, this killer, this damaged soul who looks at me like I’m the only light in his universe, is terrified I’ll break him.
“I won’t.” I cup his face in both palms now, holding his gaze so he can see the truth in mine. “I won’t hurt you. I won’t leave. I won’t—”
His lips capture mine, stealing my breath and my words. His kiss tastes like promise and possession, like every dark thing we’ve confessed and every twisted truth we’ve accepted.
When we break apart, his eyes have gone dark with emotion. I’m not going to be able to hold out against that look for long. I step back, smoothing down his borrowed shirt.
“If I don’t get some food in me soon, I’m going to eat you instead.”
“Now that sounds like a meal I’d enjoy.” His hands reach for my hips.
I dance out of range, heading for the bedroom door. “Grilled cheese. Soup. Sanctuary. Maren. Remember?”
He follows me down the stairs, grumbling under his breath, as I go in search of my purse and phone.
We enter his office. Athena snoozes in her bed in the corner. Her head pops up when we walk in, tail thumping once against the cushion in lazy greeting. I grab my purse from the back of the armchair where I’d abandoned it yesterday.
“You know what the crazy part is?”
“What?”
