Page 39 of A Vampire's Pain
“Only starting too?”
She chuckled.
“I just want to be completely sure,” she told me.
“I will prove it.”
“Gabriel—”
Goddess, I loved how she said my name.
“My brother …”
“I know. He will never accept me,” I said.
She looked so damn sad, and I hated the look on her face.
“But this isn’t about him.”
Valerio looked at me surprised and shook her head a little.
“You don’t know him like I do,” she said and placed her hand on my cheek, and I loved the feeling. “He won’t just let me go.”
“So, what is your plan? Only to enjoy tonight and then go home?” I asked.
Valeri sighed and looked down.
“I don’t think I have got a choice.”
“I thought you wanted your freedom.”
“I do!” she said.
“Then why give up so easily?!” I asked.
“Damon would never understand, not after … he almost lost me, and not just when I was taken,” she whispered.
“What do you mean?”
But I could see it was too much for her to talk about, because tears were clearly showing in her eyes, and she was just shaking her head.
“Valeri,” I said and placed a finger under her chin, making her look at me. “I would never hurt you. You got my word.”
She smiled a little.
“I only want to see you happy,” I told her.
“I’m happy right now,” she whispered.
“But I also want you to be mine.”
She looked almost shocked that I would say this, but one night was not enough. I needed more. I neededhercompletely. Nothing stopping us or coming between us. I wanted a life with her. I knew that even if I didn’t know her that well. I knew I wanted to be with her.
“I can’t be …”
“Yes, you can,” I said.
“Gabriel—”
