I had to believe that as well so I wouldn’t fall into the darkness. The one that I would never recover from. One that I wouldn’t want to recover from. What was the point without her? Dahlia had been keeping the shadows at bay since my parents died, and I needed her light like an addict needed their next fix.
“You know who is doing this, right?” Yates asked. “At least it’s my most likely guess.”
Dermot looked at Yates. “Yeah, I put it together.”
“Who?” I was already feeling sharper, and I took a big inhale, trying to clear the ringing from my head. I could see a doctor after this; first I needed to find her.
“My father,” Dermot stated coolly, seeming to be reserving his anger for when we got there. The only sign of his distress was the way he tapped his foot.
“You have to keep a cool head,” Yates instructed before looking at me as well. “I need you both focused on getting to Dahlia. And Dermot, you have to keep it together until she’s completely safe—I won’t be able to stop King alone.”
“I won’t be able to either,” Dermot murmured. “I will focus on her safety with Stratton, but I can’t guarantee that she won’t see it, Yates.”
My jaw clenched at that, not wanting any of this to touch my angel…but it was too late for that. My guilt intensified. Maintaining her safety had been my obsession for so long in school, it felt like a natural part of me, like breathing.
I was such a goddamn creep. What the hell was wrong with me? I ran a hand over the back of my neck as I trailed silently behind Dahlia. She hummed softly, going towards the large outdoor classroom on the school grounds.
It wasn’t used very often, but considering what a beautiful day it was, it didn’t surprise me. Honestly, it was a nice break from lurking around every hallway in the school. My days doing this were numbered—we only had a week left.
I wanted so badly to enjoy the day with her, to run my hands through her thick, dark hair that seemed almost lit up with auburn highlights. My eyes trailed her long legs and the skirt that covered them, making me uncomfortably hard.
It had been years of this torture, protecting her silently and praying that I would figure out a way to feel worthy of her, to be friends with her again. Until then, I would watch from a distance.
A relieved breath left my lips when she reached the entrance to the gardens for the classroom. The stupid noise caused her to look back, her green eyes lighting up with happiness.
“Stratton.” Her smile was so soft and beautiful.
“Hey,” I offered, my body tense as I pretended like I hadn’t been creepily following her.
“What are you doing?” she asked curiously, her eyes holding no caution, which made me think she hadn’t known I had been following her.
“I was out here earlier and I thought I had dropped something,” I reasoned, hating how easily the lies came. Her eyes dimmed slightly as she nodded.
“I hope you find it,” she offered sweetly and then added, “I think the guys and I may be having a bonfire tonight, are you interested in coming?”
I hated that her expression looked resigned.
I grunted, “I can’t.”
Her eyes shaded with sadness. Sadness that I’d caused. “I get it, you probably have fun Friday night plans. Just know you are always welcome.”
Then she turned and walked into the classroom, and I was left standing there feeling like the worst type of scum. I just had to remind myself...
I wouldn’t be welcome if they knew my secret.
I had thought Dahlia would be safe within the gates of Wildberry Lane. Or here—especiallyhere. Now I knew the truth though. Dahlia would never be safe. Someone would always want her, like a priceless treasure, and I would have to be her personal shield the minute I got her back in my arms. I would have to take care of her so well that she forgot that there were others outside of us, that anyone would ever dare to hurt her.
Dahlia was ‘perfection’ incarnate. Not just in the way she spoke, acted, or looked, but in the way she loved. She gave everything, surrendering herself to me with trust, and I planned on showing her how much she wouldn’t regret that.
When Dahlia had given herself to me completely, my soul had bonded to hers in a fundamental way. I had already been ruined for life…but now I wasn’t ruined.I was complete.I hoped she still wanted me around after this, because I would never leave her be. I would never leave her side.
I would work my entire life to be worthy of my angel.
As we turned onto the street the warehouse was on, a darkness rose up inside of me, knowing that the pavement would soon be painted in blood as a fucking sacrifice to my angel. My Dahlia.