Page 161 of Taint My Soul

He’s here for me.

He’s choosing me.

He’s waiting for me.

Although my heart leaps with excitement, a quiet part of me is terrified by this choice. He was in the Red Vault. He must have seen me battered and broken. Worthless. A weakling. Not the powerful, dangerous man that was ready to burn the world for him.

“Elio…” I mutter.

“I’m here.” His hand lifts to my cheeks, eyes wide with equal parts admiration and patience as he watches me. He pets me carefully. Slow, gentle strokes that stoke the storm brewing in my mind.

I shut my eyes and grunt, an air of relief slipping through my nostrils.

No man has ever looked at me like that. But Elio’s here with me, staring at me like I’m the most important person on the planet. Like I’m the only person who matters.

How long have I been here? How long has he stayed here?

I have so many questions, but I just wanted to focus on getting better.

“I did what it took to save you.” He reveals. It’s like he’s read my mind by just looking at me. I try to speak, but he presses his index finger to my lips. “Get some rest.”

I fall back to sleep, and I’m not sure how long it is when I wake up again. But he’s still there. And this time, the doctor checks my vitals and informs me that I’m ready to return home.

Elio helps me puts some clothes on. When I’m done, we head out of the hospital ward with him at my side and my left arm tucked into an arm sling. Bernard’s waiting in the parking lot when we arrive outside. I take a look at the premises, gaze lifting up at the sun at the edge of the horizon. It’s been a while since I saw the sun. Hell, I thought I was never going to see the sun again, but he made it exactly possible.

“It’s a beautiful day.” I mention.

“It is.” He holds the door open for me.

I get into the car, and he circles the back and joins me. “Where are we heading to?”

“To the King mansion. We have some people waiting on you.”

I clear my throat and give him a forced smile. The car leaves the premises, and we arrive at the King’s mansion shortly after. I slam the door as I exit the car and look up at the gigantic building in front of me.

I’m back in this world again. I’m well aware that my father’s gone. Elio held a gun to my face and made that happen. He made a bargain with an enemy to get me out of the Red Vault.

All the weight of everything that happened behind these walls falls on me. It presses intently on my chest, making it difficult for me to breathe. But the weight lessens when Elio’s hands close around mine.

“Come on. The monsters aren’t here.” He smiles at me. My hand tightens around his as we march toward the double-door entrance.

As we step into the living room, my footsteps slow as my eyes take in the men sitting in the space with Cross. They’re part of the Black Vipers. The Rooks. They are in charge of distributing products in several parts of the city.

Silence falls over at the note of my presence, and they all look up at me with a meek gaze.

“Saint.” One of them rises to their feet.

“What’s happening here?”

“We’ve been worried about you. You know, you’ve been at the hospital, and the seat has been open.”

I scoff and let Elio go. I take a step forward. “I have a question for you.”

The man straightens his spine and takes in a sharp, trembling breath.

“Was my leadership ever in question?”

“We just haven’t heard from your father in a while?”