Page 103 of Tangled IN LIES (IN YOU 3)

I clear my throat and gather myself to tell the rest, keeping a few secrets to myself. Hoping one day, she will be able to understand and forgive me.

“I warned Logan about Lester.” But he didn’t listen and then he died. Tragedy turned our lives upside down. “He told me I should forget the past and move on.”

In the end, I was saved from the grip of death, and she survived the car crash.

At the hospital, a few doors down from her, I was recovering from an operation too.

Cassandra Cade was in a coma for so long no one believed she’d wake up or be the same. The doctor warned the family her brain might never function the same. A few times I snuck in, drawn to her by an invisible force. I stroked her hair and held her bruised hand in mine, begging her to come back.

The life support machines were living for her, helping her to breathe, but she wasn’t done. Unlike Logan, she had hope. The devastated family wasn’t able to accept the truth, but with the first breath, Cassandra set the time back again. And it all hit us like a tsunami all at once.

It was the beginning of my obsession with her. I wanted to know her, to understand why Logan chose her and left his crooked empire to be with her. Why loving her was more important?

It doesn’t matter anymore because I know now. I love her more than my own life. Just like him. I’m hers too. I’ll do anything to make her happy.

Wincing at the phantom ache the past brought to me, I stroke my chest, needing to settle my still aching organ. I gasp, trying to push the feeling down. But Cassandra’s warm, petite body lurches in my arms, and the hollow pain sucks the air out of my lungs.

I haven’t let myself grieve Logan.

Grief is too dangerous for people like me. It robs you of your focus. Dulls your senses, and drags you down. You can’t allow yourself to feel it. All you have is survival instincts to protect you. But here with her, I have no choice but to do it. The walls are gaping open, and she’s nestling there.

My ultimate weakness.

The light to my darkness.

She’s calling me and my dark soul gives in.

“I’m sorry, Mark, for all the pain and loss you suffered alone.” With those words alone, she slays me. Cassandra has no idea that she’s healing me, soothing my tattered soul. And that’s why I’ll do anything to keep her or die trying.

I pull her tight against me and settle us both in the bed, happy to hold her like this. I let us both exist in this moment of sadness and comfort.

“Let me love you tonight.” I kiss her parted lips, like a starved man, drinking her responses. “Let me show you how much you mean to me.”

My heart accelerates with wild joy behind my rib cage as she kisses me back with so much warmth and passion, it melts my heart and dissolves the darkness. Our bodies move in sync and our hearts unite as we both get lost in each other.

28

Riddles

~Cassandra~

Someone’s familiar sweet, warm breath cascades d

own my face, drawing me to wakefulness. Oh no! I keep my eyes closed while I assess my bearings. I’m sleeping naked with a very aroused Mark spooning me from behind. His hand between my legs twitches, sending delicious tingles down my spine straight to my damp pussy. My chest drums nervously as my eyes snap open. Dammit!

Curious, Leon’s watching Mark and me sleeping together. Here comes trouble!

“Hi.” My voice cracks from the adrenaline pumping through my system and because of Mark affecting me this way. “You’re awake!” I flinch at my tone, too high even to my own ears.

Keeping my eyes fixed on my boy, I shake Mark’s leg, hoping he’ll stop moving those fingers so close to where I ache.

“You’re hungry?” My face flames as his cute features crease into disapproval mixed with confusion.

Grasping the sheet closer to my chest, I rise into a sitting position, making sure Mark’s covered too. My eyes twist to the left, finding my daughter sitting next to Mark with the water gun ready to shoot. My twins are always together, unleashing chaos like a team. Lucas brought it last time he was gone on a mission to teach them some war tactics. I know it’s loaded by the way she’s holding it. And by the determination etched on her face I know she’s about to use it. Time to run interference.

“Baby, don’t . . .” But she cocks her head and shoots before I can stop her. Straight to the face of the man whose hands are still wrapped around me.

“What the hell!” Mark jerks into a sitting position, shaking the water off his face. When he notices the little warrior in front of him, he grasps the sheet to cover himself. I let out a shriek of amusement but soon smother it with my palm.

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