Page 158 of Stormhold

I was terribly curious to know who the fuck he was, but it would have to wait. First, I needed to find my wife. My men would take care of the rest.

I found her by the cliffs, a soft beige blanket wrapped around her as she stared at the ocean or the sky—I didn’t know which. But she looked lost to the world.

The wind ruffled her skirt and her hair in wild directions, but she remained still, almost as if she’d been frozen in time.

Sensing my presence, she found my eyes.

“Should you be walking?” She frowned, her gaze going straight to my bandaged leg. “I think it’s best if you…”

“I’m not going anywhere.” My arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her back flush to my chest. I stifled a groan when her soft curves met my hard ridges.

She tensed like she were going to protest but gave in, going slack against my hold. Her hands laced on top of mine, and a soft sigh left her lips.

“I love you,” she whispered, tilting her neck as she pressed her lips just over the pulse on my neck. “I love you so much.”

“I love you.” My voice came out hoarse and heavy as her wide gaze met mine. I pressed my forehead to hers and took a staggering breath. “I’ve loved you all along, Bella,” I admitted softly. “Guess I was a fool who didn’t see it. But I do now, and there’s nothing I’m more sure of.” I stared into the depths of her welling eyes. The brown was so bright, ribboned with amber flecks that held my heart captive. “I love you, mia Bella.” That admission never felt freer.

Who knew a monster like me would find love, too?

A tremble worked through her lips as the tears freely flowed down her cheeks. “I love you, Ark.” Her fingers gripped the back of my neck and pulled me down for a kiss.

I captured her lips with mine, tilting my head as I tasted her tears and sweetness. She gasped for air as I took the kiss deeper, my tongue stroking every inch of her mouth. Her fingers tugged my hair softly while my hands kept her head in place, kissing her till nothing was between us. I groaned as her spark completely consumed me, setting my body ablaze, and the rush of emotions filling me up was all love for her. Soon, we were a breathless mix of teeth, tongues, and heat. And I never felt more in love with anything in this world.

Minutes later, we decided to return to the chaos. But just as we rounded the corner, both of us stilled.

Bella’s wide eyes met mine, and the look in them told me she was seeing the same thing.

Lucien, Karl, Grayson, and Marcus all stood right in front of us as the paramedics tended to their wounds, all looking equally exhausted and bruised.

A tight grip clutched my chest, and the world around me muffled; I could only hear the pounding of my heartbeat.

They were all fucking here when one of them should’ve burned in the fire.

That only meant one thing—the White Hand had fucking escaped.

THE WHITE HAND

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

This can’t be my end.

This can’t be my fucking end.

I won’t let it.

I WON’T LET IT.

Can’t believe that fucker left me here. To die! Me.

But that fucker didn’t know I didn’t really swallow his fucking chip; I spilt it out the moment he ran away like a fool and broke out of the handcuffs with the pin I kept tucked in my sock.

I didn’t want to fucking die. And time was running out. He made me this way, making me curse, say bad words when I should be the one making this world a better place. Instead, here I was running for my life. He was making me run for my life. How dare he!

But I will just lie low for now. I didn’t care if I lost to him.

He can keep the Twins.

He can keep the fucking Alacteon.