Page 119 of Capturing Sin

What did I really want when I wasn’t just fighting to be free?

“You’re not alone anymore, poison. If you want to start a war against the hunters, I’ll be at your side, revelling in your viciousness and cutting down anyone who threatens you. Or if you don’t want to fight anymore, I’ll do it for you, gladly.”

My throat felt too tight for words, and I was glad his tail was covering my eyes so I could avoid his gaze without feeling like a coward. “I don’t want to stand by while innocent people are hurt again. No matter their species.”

How could I have ever tried to poison the man holding me? I’d always regret the wrongs of my past, but I wanted to do good things with my future. I’d been raised to save people. I just hadn’t known I was killing as many innocents as I’d saved.

An approving rumble shook my demon’s chest. “Then we fight together. I already knew you were a protector, poison. It’s in your nature as much as mine.” His lips brushed my cheek as he curled himself tighter around my back, sheltering me before stepping back and letting the cool air rush between us. “You can open your eyes now.”

His tail inched down to my neck in a collar I shouldn’t like but found too soothing to care.

I blinked, the late morning sunlight obscuring my vision for a second before it cleared.

The cosy suburban house we’d just left fifteen minutes ago sat before me.

I twisted to face Sin with a quirked brow, but the expression slid from my face.

The hulking demon waited on one knee, a tiny velvet box in his raised hands.

“Poison…you had me intoxicated from the moment I saw you. This little waif of a human, hiding the soul of a fighter. You looked so sweet and innocent. All I wanted was to corrupt you, to break you. Yet it was me who fell. I love you, Liliana. I will love you until the blood in my veins turns to ash, and then I will find you in the afterlife and love you there.

“You are my family. My home. My entire damn world.”

He drew a deep breath, tattooed chest widening, and I realised I was holding a hand to my mouth, shaking so hard my wrist rubbed against the velvety softness of his long tail.

He opened the box, and a stunning gold ring, topped with a raw orange gemstone struck through with flecks of black, stared back at me.

It reminded me of a tiger-lily.

“Liliana, will you marry me?”

I swallowed thickly, feeling a million different emotions streak through me.

He waited on one knee, starlit eyes outshining the sun.

I sucked in a deep breath before I could lose my nerve. “I’ve never met anyone who’s felt like home. Until you. The first time I can remember feeling safe was when you wrapped this damn tail around my neck and promised to watch over me while I slept. It doesn’t make any sense, but…somewhere along the way, I realised you’re what I’ve been searching for all along.” My lips peeled back into a grin so wide my face ached. “Yes, Sin. I’ll marry you.”

His grin rivalled mine, and he slid the ring onto my finger and swept me up into his arms before I could even get a good look at it.

Laughter bubbled up my throat until it overflowed. He spun me around with a low chuckle before setting me back down.

His lips found mine, swallowing my mirth and stealing my breath. He kissed me until I was dizzy, lighting a fire in me that only he could tame.

He pulled back with a huge grin, tugging me towards the commandeered house.

I chuckled, following him up the patio driveway. “Wait, why on earth did you drive me around in circles, blindfolded, just to bring me right back?”

He glanced over his spiked shoulder with a wicked grin. “I brought you home, Liliana.”

I frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“This is yours.” He rubbed the back of his neck, toned arm flexing. “I bought it for you. For us.”

My lips parted as he knocked me on my arse for the second time in minutes. “You bought the house we’ve been illegally squatting in?”

“When you told me you’d never had a home, and you looked around this house with longing in your beautiful brown eyes, I knew I’d do anything to change that.” He shrugged, an almost sheepish expression on his stunningly sharp features. “I made a cash offer after that first day. The estate agent said the owners were on holiday, but this morning, they accepted. Sure, there’s some legal hoops still to jump through, and we’ll have to pretend we’ve not been staying here, plus they’ll need to move out officially when they’re back, but…it’s yours. If you want it. If not, pick a different one. I don’t care where we live, as long as I’m with you.”

Tears filled my eyes, spilling down my cheeks. “It’s perfect.”

I’d never had a real home. Somewhere I felt safe and loved.

I’d always thought my future would be dictated by my uncle, filled with violence even if I did manage to settle down with another hunter, or that I’d live a hard life on the run.

But Sin had changed everything.

My captive had set me free.