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“Let me ask you,” he started slowly. “Why are you mad at yourself?”

I swallowed roughly.

“Because I wasn’t paying attention when they snatched me. Because I didn’t fight harder. Because I heard so many girls being hurt worse than me, and yet I couldn’t do anything. And it makes me fucking livid.”

Understanding settled over him, and he watched me with a steady gaze.

“All those men will die, and you did fight, baby. You survived, and that makes you stronger than anyone,” he murmured.

“I’m sorry for what I did to you.” Tear droplets clung to my lashes. “I’m sorry that⁠—”

His mouth came to mine and silenced me with a gentle kiss. I gasped, then molded my lips to his while his arms around me tightened. I could feel his tongue softly brushing against my bottom lip.

By the time he pulled away, my breathing was erratic and so was my heart.

“No more apologies,” he said firmly, while rubbing small circles along my back. “We’re starting over. Tonight.”

I didn’t question why. Instead, I shoved my face into his neck and nuzzled into him more, my cheek against his warm flesh, and murmured, “Thank you.”

THIRTY

TYRAN

Icouldn’t wait to hunt down every single person who had mistreated Sienna during her kidnapping and make them wish for hell.

But I knew that alone wouldn’t fix it all.

Sienna had to talk to a professional and learn how to deal with her trauma. Until then, I would watch over her while she slept and ease her nightmares while slowly knocking off those assholes who hurt her.

I kept rubbing her back and her breathing slowly eased. Her green apple scent dominated the space and I wondered if there was a way to bottle it. I wanted to flood the world with it.

Her body eventually went completely lax in my arms and her breathing turned deep and even.

I looked down and found her asleep. Her mouth was slightly parted and long lashes threw shadows across her cheeks.

My chest squeezed at the sight.

She looked so young and innocent, reminding me of that girl I first met. If there was something I could do to bring her back, I wouldn’t hesitate.

Even if it meant killing those close to her—like Sophie—and erasing that first time I saw her. Maybe I was secretly a masochist with all these well-wishes for Sienna that somehow took her out of my own life. Or maybe I was gun-shy after witnessing my mother’s betrayal.

It didn’t matter, though, because there was no turning back time, and for better or worse, she was mine now.

My phone buzzed and I reached for it. There was a message from my brother.

Aiden: Some weird shit happening. Our dock and our club were hit.

Me: Do we know who?

Aiden: That’s just it. We do, because they left a card and a warning.

Me: Huh?

Aiden: Some card with a weird symbol and text that reads The Obsidian Society.

Me: What the fuck is The Obsidian Society?

Aiden: Fuck if I know. But it has something to do with Sienna.