Ruthless Saints (The Saints, #3)

by Michelle Heard

Holy moly, now I understand the meaning of the strong, silent type.

Tonight was the first time a little light shone into my life… all because of Hailey.

Then he murmurs, “Krasivaya.” I tilt my head, and it has him translating it. “Beautiful.”

Sunlight breaks through the darkness, and I savor the moment, knowing it will be the last time I see her smile.

In no universe can the moon and sun be together. They’re forever destined to be lightyears apart, with empty darkness filling the space between them.

For a moment in time, the sun shone on me. It was peaceful, the brilliance of the rays warming the frozen landscape of my life. When my time comes, she’ll be my last thought. Until then, I have to forget she ever existed.

“Na zdoróvʹje,” we toast, and after Alexei’s taken a sip, he asks, “Who’s the girl?”

“She makes me feel alive. I’ve never experienced anything like the emotions I have when I’m around her.”

“You can’t live in her world, and she won’t come into ours. It will never work,” he

“I have to make her love me before I drop that bomb on her.”

“You take no jobs and guard this girl. If she dies on your watch, I’ll be fucking pissed with you.” When I nod, Alexei adds, “Just lay low for a while.”

I’ll burn in hell for this – for taking this beautiful creature and making her mine. Once she finds out who I really am, it will be too late for her.

“the moment he walked into my life, there was only him.”

“Feels like I’m Red Riding hood, and your brother’s the big bad wolf,”

“Unless you want me to fuck you right here, you’ll stop doing that.”

“Everything you do makes me want to fuck you.”

“I like you, little one.” Hailey grins, and then she winks at me. “I just got the stamp of approval.”

The way he looks at me as if I’m the only person he loves, the only one he’ll ever love. It makes me feel treasured.

He shakes his head. “You can’t force her to stay. I won’t let you.”

It will kill me. I can’t live without Hailey. I can’t go back to the absolute darkness. I need whatever light she has left.

“You’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you ever again.”

Eventually, Carson whispers, “I’ll sit with her.” “I’m not leaving. I promised Hailey I’ll keep her safe.” Alexei takes a deep breath. “Until she’s ready to leave, consider me her personal guard.”

“Does he even really love me?” I ask drowsily. “More than he’s ever loved anything. You’re the first woman he’s had a relationship with.” My chin begins to tremble as my eyes grow heavy. “I really… loved him.” My quiet recluse.

“It’s your turn to lie, little one. You have to tell him you don’t love him.”

“Your light shone so brightly it lessened the darkness in my life. Your smile. Your bubbling laughter. It means everything to me. The flowers you brought me were the greatest gifts I’ve ever received.”

“The code is easy to remember. Nine for I. Twelve for L. Eight for H, and twenty-three for W. I love Hailey Welsh.”

“I love you,” he whispers near my ear. “More than anything. I’ll never harm you, and I’ll kill anyone who tries to hurt you.”

I’m so fucking sorry you met me, but I wouldn’t change it. Not if it means never getting to see your smile or hear you laugh. I’m sorry I’m such a selfish bastard.

“I’ll never regret anything we shared. I’ll always love you.”

“I’ll never love anyone but you.”

“And for a moment, it’s not so dark anymore.”

“Just so you’re aware, I’m never letting you go,” I say. She glances at me with a teasing smile. “You’ve made that abundantly clear.”

The corner of my mouth lifts, and I place my hand on her cheek. “As long as I get to see you smile every day, we can take it slow.” Hailey’s face lights up with happiness, and I just stare at her as her light chases the darkness. The moon only shines at night because of the sun. Hailey’s my sun.

The main guy groans as he begins to climb to his feet. Letting out a squeal as if I’m about to step on a bug, I dart forward and kick him in the crotch. “Please stay down, you idiot.” When I look up, Carson’s looking at me with an incredulous expression on his face, then he says, “That was fucking cute.”

“You’re mine,” I growl. “You’ll never leave again.” “I won’t,” she whimpers. “Please.” I press my forehead to hers. “Come, baby.” My teeth tug at her lips. “Come for me.”

“You used to look at me like that.” “Like what?” Kevin asks. “Like I’m your whole world.” Adele smiles at me. “She’s more than that to me,” I say, my gaze drifting back to Hailey. “She’s my sun.”

“To the sun who fell in love with the moon and gave him some of her light. Without her, there’s only darkness.”