Page 92 of The Vampire’s Temptation

“Please don’t be mad. He didn’t think you’d meet him—”

“He tried to kill me, Toni,” she hissed.

“No, he just wanted to kill you. There’s a difference.”

Alessandra would have laughed at the ridiculousness of that statement if Kenton had not begun walking toward her.

“Just hear him out,” Toni said, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder. “He came to the store earlier, and I swear, Allie, he was devastated. I really believe he’s madly in love with you.”

She didn’t respond, mostly because her throat felt like it was filled with sand.

Her awareness grew with every step, as did her nerves. She hated him for lying to her. Hated what he’d come here to do. Hated that he’d wanted to eradicate all Cheld from the earth—and likely still did, except for her and her brother.

But she loved him too, and right now, Alessandra did not know which of those emotions would overtake the other.

“Allie,” he said, his voice huskier than normal. Or did it only seem that way because of how different he looked tonight?

Toni gave her an odd look. Hardly anyone called her that.

“He could hear you,” Alessandra explained, “as he walked over here.” She pointed to her ears, and Toni’s eyes widened when she realized what she’d said.

“Oh my God, I—”

“Was right,” he said, looking at Alessandra with those brilliant blue eyes. They looked like an ocean of sadness tonight. “Everything you said was right, Toni.”

She knew he was saying that he loved her. That he was devastated. But that wasn’t enough. He’d lied to her.

“Can we talk?”

She was about to say no when Toni blurted, “Gotta go, kids. Tyler’s here.”

Alessandra groaned. This whole night had been staged. Sure enough, Toni’s boyfriend had just walked in.

Perfect.

Giving her a look that said she would deal with her later, Alessandra returned her attention to Kenton.

“Do I have a choice?”

He placed his drink on the table and took a step toward her.

“You always have a choice, Alessandra. But before you make it, I need you to know one thing.”

“What?” she said, her voice sharp.

“I do love you.”

* * *

He wasa long way from winning back her heart. If indeed he’d had it in the first place. Kenton would like to believe there was some part of her that he could reach, mostly because he could not leave Stone Haven without her.

He’d tried.

Lawrence had reassured him that Alessandra’s secret was now safe from everyone but his brothers. And yet, Kenton had found himself unable to walk away. Even though he knew he did not deserve a second chance, Kenton simply could not leave Stone Haven, leave Alessandra, without at least trying.

So he’d started with the most logical step he could think of.

Go to her friend.