Page 131 of When She Falls (The Fallen)
“Yes, we fucking can.”
“Ras—”
“Do you trust me?”
Her brows pinch together, but she nods anyway. “Yes, but—”
I lean closer, taking her chin between my fingers. “Then here’s the honest truth. Those things you said to me after I kissed you at Mari’s wedding? You were right about me, Gem. I’m not a man of honor. I don’t give a fuck that you’re engaged. I want you, and I’m taking you. It’s not a question. It’s a fucking statement. There’s no scenario where I’m taking you back to the assholes that have mistreated and manipulated you. You deserve better than them. Your papa deserves to rot in that fucking jail. Let them scramble. Let them try to sort out this fucking mess. But we’re not going to stick around for it. We’re leaving.Now. Do you understand?”
She’s breathing quickly, her eyes frantic as they scan my face. “What about Cleo? I can’t just leave her.”
“She’ll be fine with your mamma. You’ll be able to talk to her once we’re far away from here.”
“Ras, this is crazy.”
I shake my head. “You came to me last night. You wanted to be with me. Well, here’s our chance. And I’m taking it for both of us, because if I walk away from you right now, I know I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
I’ve caused a lot of chaos throughout my life, and God knows, I’ve often paid a price for it. This time, the price might be my life. Once we get on that plane, we’ll be on our own. Messero and Garzolo will put a price on my head, and if anything goes wrong, I won’t have Damiano there to back me up.
I should be fucking terrified.
But I’m not.
The only thing I’m scared of is hearing Gemma say no.
She’s quiet for a few long seconds, during which I tell myself I’ll carry her onto that plane against her will if I have to.
But then she takes my hand and presses a light kiss against my lips. “Okay.” Her eyes shine with unshed tears. “Let’s do it. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER28
GEMMA
I’m running awayand breaking off my engagement.
In the past, whenever I had dared to imagine doing something like this, the decision came with immediate, catastrophic consequences. I’d never considered the possibility that those consequences might be delayed, and that for a while, all I’d feel is pure bliss.
It’s disorienting. Papà’s not flying off the handle, my body isn’t being pummeled, and Mamma’s not telling me what a disappointment I am.
Instead, I’m tucked against Ras’s side, his arm warm and heavy around my shoulders, while the engine of the cargo plane makes a steady hum.
This plane isn’t like any I’ve been on before. It’s completely utilitarian, devoid of any windows or seats. Stacked crates of God knows what are securely attached to the locks built directly into the floor.
Ras and I are nestled on a pile of blankets between two such stacks, our backs pressed against the wall of the plane. It should be uncomfortable, but somehow, it’s not. In fact, everything feels softer than it should.
The earlier pain I felt in my side has completely faded away. There’s no tension in my muscles, and a comfortable warmth has spread through my body. A smile pulls at my lips. The pallets are painted such pretty colors.
“Ras?” I lace my fingers through his. “I feel kind of weird.”
He pulls me into his chest and presses a kiss to my temple. “It’s the oxy. It’ll go away before we land.”
Oh.I giggle. How did I not realize I was high? “I should have taken just one. You told me to take two.”
“I didn’t want you to feel any pain. The pills the doctor prescribed aren’t a high dose.”
My eyelids drift closed as I snuggle up to him. I don’t think I’ll ever get over how warm he is. A human radiator with the exact perfect temperature.
I slide my fingers under the bottom on his T-shirt and splay my hand over his abs. “I like these,” I mumble, feeling very content.
