Severed by Vengeance (The Severed Signet, #1)

by Elle Maldonado

To all my readers who long to be devoured in the flames of passionate and all-consuming love. But also crave to be ravaged. Taken. And disrespected in the best way.

“No. It’s just that absolutely nothing about you is average.” As she wet her lips, I couldn’t help licking my own, as if anticipating a taste. Soon enough. She curled that pretty mouth of hers. “Bye, Derek.”

“Who did this?”

Deimos was waiting. Normally suspicious around strangers, he whimpered excitedly, waiting for my command to allow his approach. Once it was given, and surprising me once more, he nuzzled against Eva’s hip, licking the hand she extended in his direction before even greeting me. “Where’s your brother? Wait, since when do you have a brother?” “Come on,” I said, leading her to the corridor where Rayne had been staying. I bent over slightly and scratched the back of Deimos’s ear. “Traitor. Though I don’t blame you.”

“Bullshit.” Her eyes snapped up to meet mine, surprised at my sudden outburst. “No one touches you, Eva.” “They were in my house. Probably know my name...” My hand flew to the side of her neck, and I pulled her face close. “No one touches you. Do you understand?”

whatever you do when I’m not around is one thing, but when you’re with me, I’m not going to sit by like some pussy while you risk your safety.”

“I won’t tolerate anyone disrespecting you. I don’t care who they are. And Evangelina,” he rasped, reaching over and tipping my chin, thumb caressing the side of my jaw, “I don’t make threats.” Instinctively, I knew the conclusion to that statement. Promises. He made promises.

“Well, I’m in a car with an extraordinarily gorgeous woman who can’t keep her eyes off me. Can you blame me for feeling like the luckiest son of a bitch alive?”

“When I fuck you, Eva, I’m going to wreck you. Do you hear me? Every part of you belongs to me now. That sweet pussy only gets wet for me.”

“You’re mine. You’ve been mine from the moment I saw you. How many times do I have to remind you?” “I don’t want you to remind me. I want you to show me.” She lifted her head off the couch and slid her tongue vertically across my lips. “So, what the fuck are you waiting for?”

“Goodnight, angel.” She scoffed and sauntered to a side table next to the recliner, pulling out a fucking hot pink dildo before sprinting up the stairs. Oh, she was wicked.

“I promise this is important. I wouldn’t leave if I didn’t trust Kai with my life.” He paused, the ice in his eyes piercing through me. “And that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

As long as I was with this woman, nothing else mattered. I would die here. Die for her. Kill for her. Anything for her.

“I understand maybe you have this hero complex, but I⁠—” Derek twisted in his seat, eyes searing through me. “I’m no hero, Eva.” He leaned in and grabbed the nape of my neck. “I’m something else entirely. Nothing and no one else matters to me. I’d bathe the whole goddamn world in blood for you.”

“You know what I wish, Derek?” She turned around in my arms, watery eyes meeting mine. “I wish you would have killed me that night too.” I clenched my teeth. “Don’t you fucking say that.” “What’s the difference? At least it would have been quick. And not like this.”

“Hey, I’m not going anywhere… but if I do, you should know I love you. I love you so goddamn much. I didn’t even know I could feel this way about anyone. You have to know that. All of it was real.”