Page 214 of The Devil We Crave
There’s no big showdown. Kyle is beyond drunk. And Achilles is, well,Achilles.
He slams into my abductor, grabbing his throat and lifting him up off the bench. Kyle squeals as Achilles whirls and literallythrowshim into the galley kitchen. Glassware and pots and pans go scattering as Kyle bangs into the little stove and refrigerator with a dull thud and then slumps to the ground.
“Yelena.”
Achilles is on me in a half a second, cutting the zip-ties binding my wrists with his knife. The second I'm free, my arms wrap tight around his neck as I choke out a cry before slamming my mouth to his.
Fuck. Yes.
Everything else falls away. The nightmare of the last few hours. The questions in my head.
None of it matters except this moment.
“Baby,” he chokes out, pulling away. His eyes search mine wildly, a look in them I’ve never seen before. “There’s so much I have to say to?—”
“It doesn’t matter,” I say, tears filling my eyes as I cling to him and kiss him again and again. “I don’t care about any?—”
“But I do,” he murmurs, cupping my face. “I told myself I was building you a fantasy, but instead I put you in a cage. And I willneverforgive myself for that. For taking away your ability tochoose--”
“ButIforgiveyou,” I choke as I grab him and kiss him again. “And I’d choose you every time, choice or not.”
A pathetic whimper pulls our attention to Kyle as he tries but fails to pick himself up off the floor.
Sheermalevolenceoozes across Achilles’ face. I shiver as he lets go of me, crosses the cabin, and grabs Kyle by the throat. Kyle gurgles and sobs as Achilles drags him over to me by the neck and dumps him at my feet.
My heart skips when I see the knife in Achilles’ hand as he holds it out, the hilt facing me.
The enormity of what he’s offering me hangs heavy in the air, igniting my skin.
He’s offering me vengeance.
I eye the knife uneasily, then Kyle, then the knife again.
My gaze slowly lifts to Achilles’.
“I…” My throat bobs. “I don’t know if I can.”
He nods, complete understanding on his face as he pulls me to him.
“Because you’re not a monster, baby,” he murmurs quietly as he kisses me softly. “But I can be one for you.”
He pulls back, and our eyes lock. I see the question lingering in his gaze.
Yes or no.
Thumb up or down, like a Roman emperor deciding a gladiator's fate.
…And I feelnothingwhen I nod my head.
Nor do I look away when Achilles turns and kneels astride a sobbing Kyle.
“You put your hands on her,” Achilles growls. “Terrorized and assaulted her.”
His lips curl viciously as he bends close to Kyle’s terrified face, twirling the knife in his hands.
“Youhurt what’s mine.”
The knife blade presses to Kyle’s throat.
