Page 136 of Make You Mine

“Turn me in. It’s okay.”

A whirlwind of emotions twirls in my chest. Everything Kayden is saying, how our lives are intertwined.

Am I fucked up for thinking we’re both broken people who found our other half?

To believe that he does deserve me? That I, too, have been pushing people away for so long because I thought that’s what I deserved after my own father chose his happiness over mine? Am I out of my mind for wanting Kayden? For saying what I’m about to say?

Oh, fuck it.

“You deserve happiness, and you deserve love. I don’t need you to be perfect, Kayden. I never wanted you to be. I just wanted you to be mine. To stop fighting me. To give in to me. To give me what I want.” I pause. “What happened between us in the past few weeks meant everything. I can handle you, Kayden, if you let me. You and all your imperfections, and your inner demons. I’ll keep Devon on a leash if I have to.”

He swallows and fixes his gaze on mine, pressing his thumb to my chin and forcing me to keep my eyes on him. I could get lost in the darkness of his blue irises.

“Why?”

“Because I love you, too, idiot,” I say. “I love you, and I don’t give a damn anymore if the world knows. I don’t care how wrong it is. We’ve been through so much shit that our relationship being taboo is the least of my concerns. Fuck what our parents or anyone might think. I want you. I choose you, Kayden.”

37

KAYDEN

There’s so little that fazes me that the idea of dying from a heart attack never crossed my mind, but fuck, this just might be it. My heart’s beating so fast, I may collapse.

Madelyn, my Maddy, loves me. God, I didn’t know I had a validation kink, but I do.

She chooses me.

For the first time in my life, it’s me.

“I can’t believe it,” I say, like an idiot. My words slipping out of my mouth without consent.

“What’s that?” Maddy asks, her long, wavy hair falls down her shoulders, and her big, cocoa eyes fill with curiosity. The only thing she’s missing is a halo over her head, and I’d believe I got sent to the wrong place, because I swear I’m in heaven. She’s a fucking angel, and she picks me as her sin.

“That you love me. I fucking love you, Madelyn.” I pause, catching my breath. “I almost had you once, and I let you slip right through my grasp.” I sigh, leaning closer to her and cupping her face between my hands. “I’m not doing that shit again. Never. If you want me, then I’m yours. Forever.”

She smiles and imitates me, caressing my face with a delicate hand. “And I’m yours.”

“My angel.”

She shakes her head. “Your little demon.”

“Here I was, easing you into a new nickname I thought you’d like more. I thought you didn’t like it, that it reminded you of the past.”

“I warmed up to Little Demon. I think it suits me. And you’re right, I want to focus on us now. But I don’t regret our past, Kayden.” She smiles, and I melt into the brightness of her lips. “In fact⁠—”

Maddy stands up from her seat and pulls me forward. “Let’s go.”

I let her lead me out of the reception and through the hallways until we reach a familiar classroom.

She stops me in front of her desk and makes me wait as she browses through the pile of books and papers on it.

“Close your eyes.”

I do.

“Now hold out your hands.”

She places a cold, round object in my palm.