The Devil You Burn For.

ng for her? A friend? A boyfriend, maybe? The thought hits me harder than it should, which is absurd considering the current situation. My gra

fore Michel falls into ste

e demands without preamble

s from behind, tension

rs, ever the voice of reason. "He's got the

she's in surgery," I reply hoarsely. "That's all

t her phone like she's trying to solve a riddle on the screen. Her brow is furrowed, and her lips press

two of you?" he mutters. "The way you're watching her,

keeping my voice steady, eve

der. "A scratch on her

s time with more weight behind th

tepping in closer, "why was she there? Why did

rd him. "What are

n mock innocence. "Absolutely

c-ass," I bite out, using the nic

hown up at Nonna's doorstep like some kind of stray, the shooter wouldn't have t

, and she quietly slips the phone back into her jeans pocket. She stands, steady,

. For all his bluster, he knows when he

quiet, like boys

ice flat with guilt. "It's my fault. I came to your ho

think it. This isn't your fault. It's no one's f

idn't you go to Theresa's? Or Seb's? Or Michael's place?

warningly, but h

tion. She should be

but their faces are unreadable. If anything, they

" I take a step back, incredulou

ichel says. "Although, I'll admit, our brother co

es. "The sooner she clea

the fury from boiling over. "She was nearly

s quietly, and her f

rm, sparking across every nerve ending, straight down my spine and into my groin. My heart skips a beat.

s. Of cour

and unguarded, before she hides it behin

I was on my way to the shop, the florist's shop we co-run, when I noticed a car following me. At first, I

targeting you?" I ask,

. I didn't think it was a coincidence. And then, another car showed up, box

Nonna's house?" Mic

door, hoping someone, anyone, inside could help. But be

e bites down on her lower lip, but it doesn

More than one car. Someone had planned t

irror, trapped and hunted, makes my chest tighten painfully. I know th

, I won't stop. I'll wrap her up and promise things I can't g

hat's

we're Sl

e always end up with

me love makes

akes you

ck my jaw, pushing everything I feel de