Page 40 of Sweet Violence
I couldn't contain the tiny smile tugging at my lips. "Glad it's mutual."
He nodded, looking rueful. "Arkan would be able to explain it better, or X."
"I don't need pretty words," I said, glancing away and watching a red demon guard scurry out of the way when he spotted us. Ah. Maybe because of the green guy I accidentally killed? "I prefer something real. But just so you know, I'm still in hard denial about all of this. I'vejustabout accepted the mate bonds, but everything else? I'm pretending it's not happening."
Joseph laughed, the warm sound working some tension out of my shoulders. It really felt good to be against him, his arm around me. Not that I'd ever admit that out loud.
"We'reobsessive, violent bastards who don't know how to love—andyou'reafraid we're gonna hurt you if we get close. What a pairing we make."
I snorted. "It's no fairy tale, that's for sure."
"Who needs a fairy tale?" Joseph replied, stopping in front of a small, wooden door and spinning me into his body. I curved my hands over his chest, his heat making me want to curl up against him. "Dark, bloody stories are much more exciting. Even better when there's kissing."
I rolled my eyes, but melted into him when he kissed me, slow and gentle with an edge of desperate passion. Like he was trying to tell me everything he'd fumbled through explaining, but this time with his lips.
I let out a long breath when his lips left mine, pressing to my forehead. "Do noteverrepeat this," I murmured, "but X is right. I do like you fuckers."
"We like you too, sweetness. So much that someone's definitely going to be killed because of this emotion."
I shrugged, leaning into his body, stress bleeding out of me. "Murder doesn't bother me."
"No, it turns you on," he replied with a laugh, laying another kiss against my head. "I want you to kill for me, so I can feast on your victim's soul."
"Holy shit, Joseph," I breathed, half laughing. "That's so fucked up."
Naturally, I added, "I love it."
He smiled so deep it lit his eyes bright green-brown. "I love you," he replied, that same emotion in his eyes, in his smile.
My chest seized with panic.
"I know, my sweet," he said before I could snap something awful to protect myself. "I just want you to know, so you don't ever think you're unloved. I love you with every cell in my body; every part of me belongs to you. You never have to be alone."
I glanced away, wishing I could say something but not trusting myself.
"I'd sooner cut my heart out and hand it to you than hurt you." He kissed my frozen lips and stepped back. "Take this in for Taj, would you, sweetness?"
I accepted the plate of chocolate waffles, swallowing the lump in my throat. I couldn't love Joseph back, but fuck, right then I wished I could. But if my life had taught me anything, it was that the people you loved most were the most capable of killing you. Dad proved that.
"Go play with the dogs, Avie," Joseph said, so softly it hurt, and pushed open the door we'd stopped beside. I thought it was a random door, but apparently it was our destination.
"Joseph," I tried, my heart in my throat.
"I know," he murmured, nudging me towards the door when I faltered. "Go argue with Taj; that'll make you feel better."
That did brighten my mood. Empty of words, I rolled onto my toes and kissed Joseph, not holding back, letting all my deadly, earth-shattering emotions out. The truth was I felt too fucking much, and it scared the shit out of me.
"I know," he murmured against my lips. "I'll see you later, my sweet."
Rattled as hell, I entered the room.
Joseph loved me. I was feeling stabby because of my own emotions. But at least there were dogs.
13
"Holyshit," I laughed, surprise swallowing the heaviness that loomed in my chest.
I kicked the door shut behind myself, ignoring Taj's glare. He sat on the floor in the middle of a rug, surrounded by golden retrievers—a whole goddamn army of them.
