Page 27 of The Fate of Black Hearts

“If I was a master, I would’ve figured out how to eliminate Willem and free you before now. The house I have isn’t much. It’s a cottage on the coast of France. It’s a long drive from here, but it’s somewhere Willem doesn’t know about.”

“You don’t have to do this. I mean, we don’t have to move into your secret place.”

“I bought it for us…for my family. That family is you and the boys, not Willem. I had it renovated years ago when we still lived in France. I’ve waited for you to wake up and stop letting him hurt all of us.”

“I’m sorry. I was trapped.” She couldn’t look at him. “I wouldn’t have survived without you. I often wondered why you didn’t leave.”

“You needed me.”

“I did. You diverted him from me or one of the kids far too often. You’re more their father than he ever was. I don’t know how to repay you.” She took his hand in hers and squeezed. “You’re honorable. Yet, deep inside, you’re a vicious thing.”

“Only vicious against anyone who threatens you.” His face fell. “It’s been hard watching you wither away. I planned to kidnap you and the boys next week and run.”

“Really?”

“I figured if we got away from him, you could heal and see that you don’t need him. The fact you were under a curse or spell is a relief. I thought he destroyed the Evie I remembered until you beat the hell out of him today. That was the fearless lycan Iremembered.”

“I thought he killed you, and possibly Roman too.”

“He almost did.”

“It’s going to take a while to find myself again. My life will always be dangerous for me and those around me so long as Willem lives.”

“I’m not going to leave now that things are finally getting interesting. I feel as if we’ve been waiting to start living for decades. Now we can.” He brought her hand to his mouth. “We could never be mated, since our bedpartner inclinations differ, but I love you.”

“Do you want to take Bryan with us? I know the two of you…”

He let go of her hand to roll onto his back. “We parted ways a few days ago.”

“I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

“He gave me an ultimatum. Either I left with him to start a different life in Spain, or he left.” His pain-filled gaze found hers. “He didn’t want to share me with you. He was fed up with seeing me act as a servant.”

“You have never been a servant to me. We are equals, and we always will be. It’s you who lets other people think less of you. I want you to live a life full of love and happiness. It’s all I ever wanted for you. If you need to go after him?—”

“It was bound to end,” he interrupted. His lower lip quivered, and it killed her to see this strong male fall apart.

“Come here.” She pulled him into her arms. He rested his head on her chest but was careful of herpregnant belly. To others, their relationship was complicated—partners, parents, siblings—but never sexual. She rubbed circles on his back like she would one of her kids.

“Hurts,” he whispered.

“You are everything to all of us. Without you I’d be lost, but I understand if you need to go. I don’t want you to have regrets, especially about happiness. We’ve lived too long in misery.”

“There wasn’t much happiness before then either.”

“It’s time we figure out how not to be miserable.” She chuckled. “Step one is money. Lots and lots of money. Enough to do whatever we want.”

“Both of us do like pretty things.”

“We need enough to keep us protected and move within the human world while looking spectacular doing it. Step two?—”

“Great sex.”

“Yes. When we’re ready, we’ll find partners.” Her mind drifted to Dom. There was something between them. “I don’t know if I can be with anyone for a while.”

He wiped his eyes and rolled away from her. “Step three is we only bring close those we trust. Incredible full moon sex is great, but it doesn’t mean our partners won’t poison us or sell us to the highest bidder if the price is right.”

“I’d kill anyone who puts a price tag on you.” She wiped the wetness from the corner of his eye that was closest to her. “I’d make it a painful death for them. Very painful.”