Page 78 of Betrayal and Vows

For a moment, we stay locked together, foreheads touching, sharing the same air. Her fingers trace the line of my jaw tenderly.

I need her to know me.

The real me.

I don’t want to die without her knowing who I am.

Chapter 14

Lena

Itrace a scar on his jaw.

I remember there are several other scars on his chest. They all tell a tale of a life of violence.

“I wish I could’ve protected the boy who got these,” I whisper.

His breath catches. Just for a moment.

“Lena…”

There’s a raspy tone I haven’t heard before.

He’s still inside me. I don’t want to move.

I pull back a few inches and look at him.

“Anton.”

“I’m not who you think I am.”

I blink, unsure whether this is the beginning of a goodbye or a confession. Is he going to tell me he’s got a serious girlfriend at home? Or he’s a spy for Mikhail.

“My name isn’t Anton.”

My hand stills over his heart. “What?”

He swallows, then sits up, carefully removing me from his body.

I adjust my panties, suddenly feeling exposed.

Anton quickly tucks away his dick and does up his jeans.

“Anton?” I whisper his name.

His gaze is faraway. I don’t know what he’s looking at but I can see something on his face. He’s relaxed just a little.

“It was supposed to be a clean start,” he says. “A new life. But nothing about any of this is clean.”

I have no idea what he’s saying, but part of me knew. I can’t explain how I knew, but he’s a walking, talking secret.

It’s like I always knew he wasn’t giving me his whole self.

“Are you married?” I ask. The words are so low I barely hear them myself.

“No.”

“Girlfriend? Kids?”