Page 95 of Sinful Bride

“Get me hard one more time,” he murmurs. “I want one more. And at least one more out of you. You’re doing so well. Can I have another?”

The sweetness in this rough man, the way he handles me when he’s so violent with everyone else, makes me want to break apart. I kiss him back, letting him touch me everywhere and then between my thighs with slow caresses until I come again. I’ve lost track of how many by now, when he eases into me for the last time, letting me ride him at my own pace. Tears drip down my cheeks, and he must think it’s from an overwhelm of pleasure, because he doesn’t ask about them. He just rocks into me slowly, wiping them away, and kisses my salty lips.

Finally, he comes one last time with a shudder, rolling over just enough to dispose of the condom before pulling me against him. His eyes are already drooping with sleep, and I know I’ve worn him out.

Just like I intended to.

When I'm sure he's asleep, I carefully extract myself from his arms. He doesn't stir, just rolls onto his back, one arm thrown over his head, completely vulnerable.

I stand beside the bed for a moment, watching him. In sleep, he looks younger and softer. The hard edges of his face are smoothed away, the tension gone from his shoulders. He looks like someone who could be happy. Someone who could have a normal life.

But he can't. Not in this world. Not with me.

I move to the vanity, my hands steady as I open my jewelry box. The derringer sits where I left it, hidden under the top layer of necklaces and earrings. I pick it up, feeling the weight of it in my palm. I check to make sure it's loaded and then turn back to the bed, the gun cold in my hand. Declan hasn't moved. He's still on his back, his chest rising and falling in the steady rhythm of deep sleep, completely unaware and trusting.

I move closer, my bare feet silent. My heart is pounding, but my hands are steady. I've made my choice. I know what I have to do. I'm a Capetti. I'm stronger than I think. This is my duty. This is what my family needs from me. I hear my father’s voice over and over in my head, repeating those words.

This is what I need.

Freedom.

I raise the gun, pointing it at his head. My finger finds the trigger. All I have to do is pull. One shot. One moment. And then it's over.

I think about my father's words and the life he promised me. My own home. My own money. No more obligations. No more fear. I think about waking up every morning and deciding what I want to do with my day. About traveling anywhere I want to go. All I have to do is pull the trigger.

My finger tightens on the trigger. The gun is steady in my hand. Declan's face is peaceful in sleep, unaware of what's about to happen.

I can do this. I'm strong enough. I'm a Capetti. This is my duty.

This is my choice.

I'm about to pull the trigger when his eyes open.

For a moment, we just stare at each other. Him lying in bed, sleep-soft and vulnerable, and me standing over him with a gun pointed at his head.

Then his gaze drops to the derringer in my hand.

20

ELENA

Declan moves faster than I thought possible. His hand shoots out and closes around my wrist like a vise, twisting hard. Pain shoots up my arm, and I cry out, my fingers opening reflexively. The derringer clatters to the floor.

"Declan—"

He shoves me. Hard. I stumble backward, my hip hitting the edge of the vanity, and then he's on his feet, naked and furious, his face a mask of betrayal and rage. "Don't." His voice is low. Deadly. "Don't you fucking say my name."

My heart is pounding so hard it hurts. "Please, I can explain⁠—"

"Explain?" He laughs brokenly, the sound horribly bitter. "You were going to kill me. While I slept. After I—" He stops and shakes his head. "Jesus Christ."

He bends down and picks up the gun and looks at it for a long moment, his jaw working. Then he looks at me, and the expression on his face makes my chest cave in.

"Declan, please⁠—"

"I said don't." He moves toward the door, still holding the derringer. "Don't say my name. Don't talk to me. Don't fucking look at me."

"Wait—"