Page 85 of Branded By Shadow
I close my eyes, but tears slip out anyway.
“I feel stupid.”
His steps stop.
He looks down at me, and for the first time since he came through that door, Shadow fades.
Jayce looks back.
Raw.
Furious.
Mine.
“Listen to me, love. She used what was best in you. That doesn’t make you stupid. Makes her rotten.”
A broken laugh catches in my throat. “That’s your sweet confession?”
His mouth tightens.
Then softens.
“Sweet isn’t what I’m good at.”
“I noticed.”
His eyes move over my face like he needs to memorize that I’m breathing.
“I should’ve kept you in my sight.”
“You came.”
“I was late.”
“You came,” I say again.
His jaw works.
“I’ll always come for you.”
My heart cracks.
Not from pain this time.
From something bigger.
Scarier.
“I thought I lost everything,” I whisper.
His arms tighten around me.
“You didn’t lose me.”
The words hit too deep.
I look up at him, my fingers trembling against his jaw. “I barely know what you are to me.”
