Lover (Betrothed 3)

A pair of guys went to a vehicle in the back and dragged her from the back seat. They each held her by one arm as they escorted her forward. They dragged her until she stood beside Maddox, and once her eyes were on me, a look of relief stretched over her face. I’d come to save her, come to take her home. Her hair was messy because she didn’t style it anymore, and her face was free of makeup. But she didn’t have a single bruise or mark…and that made me so grateful.

I wanted to stare at her forever, but I had a job to do. I looked at Maddox again. “Let’s do this.”

Maddox grabbed her by the arm and gave her a light push forward. “Go, sweetheart.”

As if she couldn’t control herself, she ran straight into my arms. The momentum made me stagger back for just a second. Somehow, she still smelled the same, like roses and lilies. Her face moved into my shoulder, and she took a deep breath as her arms circled my waist. A few tears escaped, soaking my t-shirt.

My arms circled her body automatically, and I squeezed her tightly, so thankful I got to have this one last moment with her. It made everything worth it, made my punishment easier to accept. And it made me realize how much I truly loved her. I’d been a selfish man all my life, but once I had her, there was no me. Only her.

I leaned back slightly so I could press a kiss to her forehead. My hands slid into the back of her hair, and I cradled her against me, letting my lips soak up her taste. I didn’t want to let her go, not ever, but I had to let her go…forever.

Maddox grew impatient. “Now, your end of the deal.”

I grabbed her arm lightly and tugged her aside. “Get in the car, baby.”

She glanced at Maddox before she looked at me. “You aren’t coming?”

I didn’t have the courage to tell her what was about to happen.

She was so damn smart that she figured it out on her own. Her eyes flooded with tears, and she started to panic. “No.” She grabbed me by the arm. “No, don’t do this.” She began to sob, delirious. “I’ll stay with Maddox…” Tears streaked down her cheeks, making rivers on her skin. The moisture in her eyes was more noticeable because it reflected the headlights like bright beacons.

When she went on an emotional rampage, I couldn’t look at her anymore. “Damien.”

She turned hysterical. “No. Please, no.”

Damien stepped forward and took her by both arms.

She fought against him like she was fighting for her life, screaming at the top of her lungs. “No, don’t do this!”

Damien hooked his arms around her waist and dragged her to the car.

When I couldn’t see her anymore, I could hear her muffled screaming coming from inside the car. She pounded her fists against the window, trying to break free. She’d rather be a prisoner to Maddox than see me suffer.

I turned my gaze back to Maddox. “Wait until she leaves.”

He stepped closer to me, that disgusting smile on his face. “This has been a lot more enjoyable than I thought it would be.”

I listened to the engine start. Then I heard the cars turn around and drive away. Even over the sounds of the vehicles, I could hear her muffled screams. She probably begged Damien to turn around and come back for me.

I tried not to think about it anymore. Now I needed to stay strong and accept the outcome of my decision.

When they were long gone and we were alone, I took solace in the fact that Sofia was safe, that she wouldn’t have to watch what was about to happen. She had another chance at life, a chance to start over.

Now, all I had to do was die.

Maddox motioned to one of his men. A second later, a wooden bat was placed in his hand.

So, he was going to beat me to death.

I would only think about Sofia until my body gave out.

Maddox tested the bat in his grip. “Anything you wanna say before we get started?”

I kept my mouth shut.

“I’m not going to kill you. I’m going to make you wish I would kill you.”

6

Sofia

“You need to calm down.” Damien gripped me by both shoulders and forced me into the armchair in my bedroom. “It’s done. No going back.”

I slapped his hands away. “Don’t tell me to calm down.” Tears poured down my face and soaked my cheeks. “How could you let him do this? I’d rather live with Maddox for the rest of my life than let Hades sacrifice himself for me.”

“Well, he wouldn’t.” He kneeled in front of me, his head slightly bent. His hair was messy, as if he’d fingered it all night long. His eyes were full of moisture, as if he were holding back tears. “I know this is hard. It’s hard for me too, but this is what he wanted.”