Thousands (Dollar, #4)

by Pepper Winters

I started to believe her. I grew that fucking heart. Only for her to shatter it when she copied my family and left.

I winced all over again, recalling her face as I deliberately broke her heart. My awful slur of ‘You’re not worth it,’ echoed sickly, making me suffocate with self-hatred.

I’d taken something of theirs without consent. I was just as bad as the assholes who’d hurt me. They had every right to be hurt and angry. I was hurt and angry. I’d been hurt and angry for years.

Simone stiffened, a small gasp falling from her lips. “What are you doing?” Something I should’ve done years ago. Standing up for myself.

I tensed and glowered at Miranda. “So tell your little lap dog there to do his worst. He won’t break me. No one can break me even though plenty have tried.”

I loved her. I was in love with her.

“So you thought you’d storm the station and throw some threats around, did you?” She rolled her eyes. “You think that would work?” Who is this bitch?

“You’re the most important person in the world to me. My mother and father might have given me life, but you returned it to me when I no longer wanted it. For that you have my undying loyalty—no matter if we’re together or apart.”

“As long as you want me, Elder Prest, I’m not going anywhere. I’m yours until you decide otherwise.”

“There won’t be a next time.” “Ha.” Walking around me, she paused by the door, tapping her foot impatiently. She cocked her head toward the empty corridor. “Leave.”

“I haven’t believed in fairytales for a long time, Elder. I think you’re mistaking me for someone who hasn’t lived with evil. Who doesn’t know true darkness. And someone who isn’t afraid of a little greyness inside you when you’re trying to convince me it’s the end of the world.” She leaned toward me, baring white teeth. “Newsflash, it’s not.”

wanted to grab each life morsel and indulge in every activity. I wanted to eat delicious food instead of leftovers in a dog bowl. I wanted to kiss every sunrise after being locked inside for years. And I wanted to be loved and to love after only knowing hate.

Cursed life in general to such a point I craved death. But now, I was obsessed with living. Of living to the maximum of my capacity. Of giving my heart wholeheartedly. Of falling in love chaotically. Of soaking up every wonderful moment of togetherness that I could.

“When I first saw you, I knew you were different. I knew you were stronger, braver, more man than Alrik could ever be. When you first touched me, I hated you because you showed me I wasn’t as dead as I’d hoped. When you first saved me, I feared you because you placed me in a debt that I could never repay. When you first kissed me, I cursed you because I knew you’d be the one to destroy me. Not him. Not anyone. You.”

But I need you to know…I just need you. If we never have sex again, I’m fine with that. If you only want my friendship, I’m ecstatic with that. I just…need to be around you. I’ll tell you anything you want to know. I’ll reveal every stupid fact about how I hate milk on cereal and how toast is the most boring food I can imagine. How some days I prefer rain to sun, and some nights, I prefer clouds to stars. I’ll share myself completely with you, not because I owe you for everything that you’ve done, but because I want to. You’re the only one I want to know all of me.”

“You’re the best thief.” I kissed her nose, her eyelids, her cheeks, and finally her ear where I whispered, “You’ve done what no one else ever could. “You’ve stolen my heart.”

Literally S.I.M.P.L.E. Sometimes Impossible Mostly Probable Largely Explainable.

“What is it?” Shaking himself, he blinked. “Nothing.” “It’s something.” “Nothing you need to know.” “Everything I want to know.”

“I don’t care who you are, but if you hurt anyone on this boat, I’ll ensure you all pay.” What. The. Ever. Loving. Fuck?