Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Inspired, I lick up his cheek, and he turns to me, blinking, then gulping.
“Killian,” he says before taking the sort of breaths I’d expect from him after an intense workout.
“Yes, wifey?”
“The reason I’ve been struggling the past few days is because of those things you told me. And it is a lot, and I don’t know that I’m okay with any of it. There are things I imagined my future could hold, beautiful things I’m having to come to terms with losing, and it feels like grief. I always thought I’d find a great love, and maybe that’s a childish fantasy, but it was something I wanted to be different for me than what my parents had. But now here we are, and I’m having to sacrifice even more of my dreams…”
My dick swells again within him, and he says, “Does that arouse you?”
I don’t reply because he already has his answer.
“You said you wanted me to be a clipped falcon, and maybe I shouldn’t have been so affected by that because the truth is, my wings have never worked to begin with. This relationship, though, I do trust you’ll keep us safe. And I can accept respect and appreciation in lieu of all the other stuff I wanted…those things I hoped for.”
He looked happy throughout our fuck, but that’s gone, this sorrow to him now, making me wish I could reach into my chest and tear out my heart.
“It’s a difficult victory to accept,” I admit. “If I could tame this monster in me to let you have the things you desire, to permit you to find someone who could sate these desires in you, I would, but I know myself and I know better. People would get hurt.”
“I believe you.”
“But you’re willing to marry a monster?”
“Yes,” he says so quickly, I don’t imagine it’s because he’s not considering it, but because he’s considered it enough to know it’s the only answer.
And it tugs at an ease within me, makes me feel as though, fucked up as tonight was, it was all worth it if it means I get to have my prize. I lean down close to him, keeping his hands in place as I rest my forehead against his, his hot breath rushing against my face.
“Logan Wilde. Will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?” The words push past my lips effortlessly, like they’ve been waiting all this time for me to say them as they needed to be said.
The room is so silent, despite the screams still echoing in my mind, and as Logan breathes, “Yes,” I seal the promise with a kiss.
“My little falcon, clipped and tamed, mine once and for all.”
I expect to see defeat in his expression, but he looks blissed out, utterly satisfied, which fills me with pride.
27
LOGAN
This is it.
The end of freedom as once I knew it, and the beginning of the imprisonment that is marrying Killian Lorde.
Up until he popped the question, it was a looming fear, this trainwreck I couldn’t stop. I’ve dreaded this future, and at times I’ve denied it, but now there’s no question.
Despite my resistance, last week when he tortured Wilmore Cronkite and ensured the security of my family, I didn’t have any doubts about his loyalty or protection. I refused to submit but offered myself up to satisfy the darkness in him, and really, in me too. When we fucked, I felt alive. I was without judgment or self-hatred, just appreciating someone who could see me. Really see me.
Yes, I will have to forfeit my silly notions about love, but maybe that’s the price I’ve always been destined to pay. And as long as the Wildes are safe, what else really matters?
The following Monday, Killian permits me to use his office space to manage some business matters, so I’m at work when Wrath enters the room. He’s doing much better, his injuries healed over for the most part.
“So this is where you’ve been hiding.” Wrath sidles up to the desk, the way he typically does. It grates on my nerves because I feel like he’s just coming here to distract me from getting anything done. “I called and checked in on Malaki and Ror,” he says. “They’re doing well, despite hating you for pulling them away from classes.”
Malaki and Rory had to go into hiding, though I’m sure that won’t be for long. Since Killian revealed Wilmore’s intentions, the Cronkites have cooperated as a gesture of good faith to help us hunt down the men hired to assassinate my brothers.
“Are they keeping up with their schoolwork?” I press, since I told them this wasn’t a vacation. They’ve arranged to complete assignments digitally while we handle this. Their education is important, as it will ensure they won’t wind up entangled in the family business the way the rest of us have been. Of course, as this incident has shown, there’s no real way of escaping it, but I’ll do everything in my power to keep it from infringing upon their lives.