Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter 33
SIENNA
MORNING COMES AND I DECIDE to paint next to the window again. I wanted to watch a movie on the couch, but the guard said I’m still not allowed to leave my room, so no living room time for me. Jerk. I’m dealing with the disappointment by painting the gray storm clouds I can see billowing along the horizon.
Mindlessly, I’m twirling my locket with one hand, painting with the other, when there’s a loud crash in the hallway. I startle so much I drop my paintbrush. Did that giant outside my door fall and break a vase?
I wait, frozen on my stool, straining to hear.
There’s another loud crash and I’m off the stool. Muffled, deep voices punch through the hallway, along with scattered, loud footsteps. It sounds like people are fighting.
My mouth becomes sandpaper—what if it’s Victor?
What if he sent Anthony away on purpose just so he could come for me? Give me my punishment?
I glance at the window; my only escape.
The people in the hallway slam into the door, and I yelp.
I press my shaky fingers to my forehead. Okay, I need to figure this out quick.
There are three options: fight, give up, take my chances with the window.
Shoving my easel out of the way, I look over the windowsill at the ground below.
God, that’s a long drop. But…I could probably survive the fall. Maybe only break a few bones.
Maybe.
Fuck.
There’s another loud bang on my door and my eyes dart around the room, looking for any kind of weapon. I grab the metal easel and collapse it. It’s awkward, but if I swing it right, I might stun any attacker long enough to escape out the door.
If there’s only one of them.
My heart is pounding so loud in my head, it’s the only thing I can hear as I watch the doorknob slowly turn.
I’ve decided on a plan of action: wait to see. If I’m outnumbered or if it’s Victor himself, I take my chances jumping out the window. If it’s only one guy, I’ll fight.
Giving up isn’t an option because I’ve already made it this far, survived this long.
Victor can try to capture me, but I’m going down swinging.
Tears are pooling in my eyes, but I blink them away—I need to keep my vision sharp, my mind focused. But I can feel despair creeping in; when I woke up a few hours ago, I didn’t expect this day could be my last.
I didn’t get to see Declan’s selfie one last time.
Life is so incredibly cruel.
Well, if I don’t survive this, then I’ll finally see Grandpa again. I’ve missed him so much.
Gripping the collapsed easel, I widen my stance and wait as the door slowly creaks open.
One heartbeat.
Two.
I drop the easel, covering my mouth with both hands.
Declan is standing in the open doorway trying to catch his breath.
Am I dreaming?
I’m fucking dreaming.
My vision blurs as I take in the trickle of blood down the side of his head, his disheveled T-shirt, his brooding intensity that looks stronger than ever—eyes focused, face like stone, but with a slightly quirked eyebrow. Sean is behind him in the hallway, pointing a gun at the unconscious guard.
Declan takes a step toward me.
I inch back, my heartbeat overwhelming my senses.
He takes another step; I move even closer to the window. His eyes dart around the room at all of my sketches, then messy lines crease his brows and he returns to staring at me, his breath steadier now.
Another step.
I don’t understand how he’s here, why he’s here.
Did I hurt him so badly he decided to come after me, just like Anthony? Or Victor?
Does he want revenge?
I can’t possibly believe he’d be here for any other reason.
“Sienna…” he says, inching closer.
I continue my slow movement backward until my ass bumps the windowsill. I glance over my shoulder at the ground below.
God, even if he’s here to rescue me, I don’t know how I can possibly face him. How could I ever make amends for what I said?
I lean back into the open window.
He’s in front of me suddenly and grabs my arm. “What are you doing? Are you insane?”
I lower my head and sob, not wanting to look at him. The cracked pieces inside me I’ve been trying to patch with slivers of hope, over and over, all suddenly shatter. “You’re the…insane…one. You can’t…can’t be here. Anthony will…kill you. Why would you—”
He pulls me into his chest, enveloping me in his arms and familiar woodsy scent. “I found you.”
I’ve heard those words before from a violent man whose only focus was winning—I’ve always been his trophy, his prize.
But Declan sounds relieved. Grateful.
I completely crumble as I cling to his shirt, soaking the fabric with a flood of tears.
What is wrong with this man?
I broke his heart, ran to keep him safe, and he just…follows me?
I’m near hyperventilating as I choke out words through my cracked voice. “I said…so many…awful things. Why are you…? You can’t…You have to…leave before—”
Declan cradles my face in hands that are large and warm and gentle, forcing my puffy eyes to look up at him. My face is swollen, and snot is running free, but he doesn’t seem to care about my appearance.
“Did you mean it?” he asks.
“W-what?”
“Did you mean what you said? In Hawaii. Tell me the truth.”
I bite back a sob. “No, of course not. He…would’ve killed you…if I didn’t—”
He pulls me against him, smoothing a hand over my hair. “Then I don’t remember what you’re talking about.”
My knees almost buckle, but I find the strength to push hard against his chest. To get him away from me. He’s too strong, though, and won’t budge.
I swallow and sniff until I’m contained enough to speak clearer. “You don’t know what you’re saying,” I grit out, struggling to keep my voice steady and functioning. “Stop it. I’m not…not a good person. Sienna isn’t…I used to be Margaret. And—”
He kisses me. I’m a sloppy, rambling mess with so many bleeding edges, yet this insane man kisses me.
I kiss him back, pulling on his shirt so hard the threads in the collar pop.
I’ve missed him so much, my heart never stopped aching.
But I quickly come to my senses and turn my head.
“Stop,” I say with more power. “Just stop. You’re not listening. I was born Margaret Diane Ariti. I’ve hurt people. I was with Anthony. I did things for him. I was complicit in so many terrible things. The only reason I never went to jail was because I was offered a plea deal…but that doesn’t change what I did. You don’t want someone like me.”
Even with the truth out, Declan never looks away. His lips never twitch down and his eyes don’t narrow or widen or do anything except gaze at me like I’m the only thing precious in this world.
Cupping my face, he wipes tears away with his thumbs. “Sienna, you can tell me all about your past later. Right now, we need to go.”
“I’m a criminal and you’re ignoring that?”
“I’m not ignoring it, but I understand that willfully hurting someone is different from being coerced or feeling like your own life was threatened. Once I learned the name of your ex, my private investigator did some digging. You turned yourself into the authorities and they absolved you. I’m guessing your ex used manipulation and threats to put you in a position where you felt you had no choice but to do what he said, correct?”
I wipe under my nose and shake my head. “That doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does.”
Fresh tears are filling my eyes. “I should’ve said no. I—”
“Your past changes nothing for me,” Declan says, his voice like a soft golden ray filling me with light. “I want all of you. Your past. Your damage. Margaret. Sienna. I need every damn part. I’ve felt like a new man since we met. You’ve only shown me understanding and acceptance of everything I carry. I’m here to do the same for you. Whatever you do or don’t do, I just need to be by your side. That’s enough.” His vibrant blue irises hold mine captive, and I want to be held there forever. “I only need to be deserving of you, offer you safety. When we first met, I told you I was a possessive man. You’re mine. Tell me you see that.”
I’m so close to giving in, but the burden of past experiences still has a fortress around my heart. “Are you a wolf?” I whisper.
He studies me for a moment, his eyes searching mine, before he says, “If, by ‘wolf,’ you mean someone who will do anything to protect their chosen mate, then yes. I’m a wolf.”
I have no arguments, no more defenses, because why had that never occurred to me? There are so many wolves in the world, but not all of them are pure predators.
Wolves can be loyal, nurturing, and protective.
Fresh tears fall as I nod. “I want to be yours. I’ve always just wanted to belong. And I see it; I belong with you.”
His mouth claims mine, and we cling to each other, this suffocating room and the entire world fading away.
“I love you,” he whispers, before deepening the kiss.
I long to say it back, to speak what’s already in my heart, but I don’t get the chance.
We’ve both shut out the world too fiercely.
There’s a muted pop.
Declan cries out and staggers away from me, reaching for his pant leg that’s quickly darkening with blood.
There’s a bullet hole in his calf.