CHAPTER EIGHTEEN — THE SHADOW IN THE TREESThe alarm beeped again, louder this time.MOTION DETECTED — NORTH SIDEAmara’s heart slammed against her ribs.Dante moved immediately, pulling her behind him, his entire body coiled tight like a predator ready to strike.“Stay here,” he whispered.“No,” she whispered back, grabbing his arm. “I’m not letting you go out there alone.”For a moment, Dante looked torn—between the man who guarded his world with violence, and the man who wanted to shield her from everything ugly inside it.Then he reached out, cupped her face gently, and pressed his forehead to hers.“I can’t protect you if you’re in danger,” he murmured.“And I can’t breathe if I don’t know you’re safe,” she whispered back.Their breaths mingled in the dark.He closed his eyes, his voice breaking with something raw.“Amara…”A sound cracked outside—a
Last Updated : 2025-12-11 Read more