Page 38 of Marked By Him

“The location makes no difference. I don’t fuck.”

I scoffed. “Ever?”

“No.”

“Why?” I tipped my chin in defiance. “If it’s a celebration… If it’s yourpurpose—”

“I said, I don’t.”

I stormed forward. “Why?”

“Leave it alone, Eve.”

I stepped closer, close enough for the scent of bonfire, night air, andhimto make my head spin. “Why?” I lifted my hands to grab his shirt, to shake him, to make him answer me.

His arms flew up and he snatched my wrists. He pulled until my body crashed against his. The air left my lungs. He stared down at me, his gaze savage and dark. The binds that had been holding his restraint seemed to snap.

“Because the last time I did, someone died.”

18

Roman

What the fuckhad I done?

This woman blew into my life and churned up dust that had been settled for years. Her mere presence was a weapon, slicing me open and making me want to bare my soul. Everything about her was hypnotic and dangerous. She unraveled my secrets, then used the thread to tangle me in knots.

Fuck.

I grabbed her before I could stop myself. Her delicate body molded into mine, and a surge of power shot through my veins. A beast raged inside, thirsting to claim and destroy. She trembled as she looked up at me; her brown eyes flared as if she sensed its presence.

Too late to go back now. We were too far gone. The wound had been opened. The secrets were spilling out. She would either accept my sins or run.

And if she runs, I’ll chase her.

“Her name was Eliza.” The wall I’d built around her memory went crashing to the ground.

“You loved her,” she acknowledged softly.

It wasn’t a question, but my heart roared its answer.

Yes, I fucking loved her.The kind of love that was so powerful it was almost painful. A soul-consuming love.

“What happened?”

I happened. She gave me her body and I stole her life.Then, she left me behind to pick up the pieces.

“She was pregnant, and the baby came early. She made herself the sacrifice. She gave her body for his.” My words lingered in the air.

I’d spent months afterward asking God why He hadn’t taken me instead. I’d spent the last three years wishing He had.

I poured everything into the community. I worked in the fields. I tended to crops and the animals. I turned every ounce of pain, heartache, and anger into purpose.

Eve’s gaze locked on mine, full of so much despair that it ripped into my chest.

“You have a son.” Her voice cracked.

“No. I lost him, too. Eliza let them cut her open to save him. She bled to fucking death and he died anyway.” My throat felt lined with razors. It was hard to swallow.

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