Don't Let Her Stay Book Novels & Stories

The word came from across the room with the quality of something that had been held for a long time and was now, very carefully, being released. Stay. It was barely more than a breath. It was absolutely a word. It was entirely directed at her. Aria held the book open. She did not gasp. She did not cry, although something in her chest moved with a force that required management. She did not reach for him or perform anything, because this moment was not about her, and her reaction to it needed to be the right size, the size that matched what had just happened rather than the size of her own feeling about it.

She let out a soft laugh. “Of course not. Everyone knows Shane is hopelessly in love with me. He would never bear to divorce me. I promised my parents I would take care of you. Giving you a child as compensation is fair. If Shane refuses, then he can forget about touching me again. If he refuses to acknowledge your child, then the Charlton family can wait to lose their bloodline.” She spoke casually, yet every word stabbed into my chest like a dull blade. She wore the black stockings I had chosen for her. She and Eric lay in the bed we once shared.

Close enough that if she reaches for me in the dark, I'll be there. "Stay," she whispers. "I'm not going anywhere." "Stay." "I'm here." She closes her eyes. And for the first time in weeks, I let myself believe. --- She says one word — "Stay" — and suddenly I remember exactly why leaving failed. Because leaving means losing this. And this — messy, complicated, terrifying — is the only thing worth staying for. End of Chapter 140

She even dropped the book on the table and pushed it towards me. The title of the book was ‘Lights that don’t flicker’. I haven’t even asked her one question about this book. I only enjoyed one of her books while we were still getting to know each other. I don’t know what this would look like. “And if I don’t?” What is she going to do if I don’t agree to her request?

Only then did she quietly relax. But Marcus suddenly took my hand. “Tonight is Vivian’s last night in New York. I’ll dance with her later.” With that, he turned and walked toward the dance floor. Seeing that I was still about to leave, Vivian suddenly grabbed my arm. She lowered her voice, madness and hatred burning in her eyes. “What exactly did you say to the Don? Why did he suddenly speak to me like that?” “Nerina, as long as you’re alive, I will never feel safe.”

She tells me with a shrug. I swallow, curious on why she cares, but I won’t be the one to stop her. That pack has always been shitty though, so I’m not sure what she thinks she’s going to find. It’s only started improving since Alec took over, but none of that will be in this book. I set the book down and look back at her, she looks back at me skeptically. “Where did you go?” She asks me, and I purse my lips. “I went to talk to Bert.” I tell her and she nods looking back at her book selections.

“You’re shaking.” She looked down at her hand, as if surprised to find it trembling. I gently took both of her hands in mine. “Enough for tonight.” “No,” she said immediately. “Thea.” “No, Alexander. I don’t mean we keep opening everything. I mean don’t send me away.” Her voice lowered, softer now. “Just hold my hand and let me stay.” That undid me more than her stubbornness. I nodded. “All right.” Shaun quietly moved a chair closer behind her. “Madame.”

"If you say so." Returning my attention to Rexxona, I kept my voice steady. "You can stay. As long as you follow the pack’s rules, we won’t have any problems." Her shoulders relaxed slightly, relief flickering in her eyes. "Thank you," she said, her tone sincere. "I promise, I won’t cause trouble." Rose grinned, clearly pleased with herself. Just as I turned to leave, something caught my eye—the worn book she held against her chest. She gripped it tightly, almost protectively. My curiosity deepened.

“I just wanted to know the things you would love to do if rules didn’t exist.” “You don’t owe me an explanation, sir.” “But I’m here and I’m explaining!” I yell, slowly losing my grip on my last string of patience. A soft gasp is all that escapes her parted lips. Nothing more, nothing less. She proceeds to read her book. A book I got with my own money. I scoff, restraining myself from grabbing the book and ripping it to shreds. “School.” She whispers when I turn my back in an attempt to walk away.

“If I took my time and brought it to you, then you should know it isn’t just because I liked the fucking cover.” I held back the sight that wanted to make it past my lips. I’m not ready to die. “It is the only book that isn’t part of the collection.” She spoke through gritted teeth. “In fact, there is no space for it.” “And you’ve looked through it, it is a history book?” She inhales and exhales slowly. Her hands inch closer to my head and I immediately move forward in the chair. “I swear to God, Xander, I’m going to strangle you if you ask me another fucking dumb question.”