Tears of Salvation (The Saints #5; Underworld Kings #3)

by Michelle Heard

She might be Demitri’s fiancée, but she’s also the most important woman in my life, seeing as Demitri and I are inseparable. She makes my friend happy, and at the end of the day, it’s all that matters.

“The Devil,” I murmur as I let out a breath of air against her ear, which makes her shiver. “You better fuck like one.”

Alexei: And people wonder why I don’t do relationships. You’re clingy enough for me.

Fearless. Dangerous. Beautiful. Isabella will make the perfect partner.

The corner of his mouth lifts again. “Family. Never thought I’d consider having kids.” “I’ll teach them how to shoot a gun,” I joke. Demitri’s smile widens. “You better, seeing as you’ll be their godfather.”

“Do you really want to deprive the world of the ecstasy you felt when I fucked you?” My left eyebrow shoots up. “Vain much?” “No, just confident.”

You’re strong enough to survive at my side, but how the fuck do I capture someone as wild as you?

I’ll make Isabella love me, marry her, and then she’ll be mine. Together we’ll rule the world.

Okay. Deep breaths. You love Isabella. Christ, so much for thinking I was the one in control. My breathing begins to speed up as I feel panic for the first time in my life. What if her memory returns and I lose her? What the fuck will I do then?

“Whatever happens in the future, I want you to remember this moment. I mean everything I’m going to say.” “Okay.” My tongue darts out to wet my lips. Alexei takes another deep breath, and then his eyes lock with mine. “I love you.”

“I fucking love everything about you. I could spend the next hour going into detail, but I won’t. I want you. All of you. I want you next to my side. I want to wage wars with you. I want to build empires with you. I want you in every new memory I make because there isn’t a woman on the face of this planet I respect more.”

“Mine. A fucking goddess belongs to me.” My lips curve up as I shake my head, and framing his jaw with my palms, I say, “No, a god belongs to me.”

“What do you want?” I ask, intimacy weaving a spell around us. “You naked every night.” He pushes a finger inside me, and a moan spills over my lips, then I breathe, “And?” “You by my side forever.” As Alexei’s mouth takes mine, my heart fills with warmth, and it slowly spreads through my body. Today I made the right decision when I agreed to marry Alexei. I have no regrets.

My heartbeat speeds up as the thought that I can actually lose Isabella crosses my mind.

“You’re a good man. I wouldn’t risk my life for you if you weren’t.” I lower my eyes from Demitri’s, but then he says, “You have my loyalty and love because you are nothing like your father. The day you killed him, I vowed to be your custodian because I knew there wasn’t a man alive more deserving of my protection than you.”

“Go home, Alexei. I’ll meet you there before the attack.” Opening my eyes, I focus on Isabella, and then honesty spills over my lips, “It’s not home without you.”

“When I make a promise, I keep it, so I don’t make them often. But, Ana, I promise you’re safe with me. I won’t touch you unless it’s to save your life. I’ll respect your boundaries. I love Isabella, and I plan on marrying her, which means the two of us will become family. I always protect my family.”

My goddess with a will of steel that’s been forged in the bowels of hell.

“Of course. If anyone’s going to kill you, it will be me and on my terms.” “You love me too much,” I tease her. “Lucky for you.”

“It’s nice to know there’s a woman I can count on. If you ever need me, I’ll be there.” Hearing the words from the woman who inspired me so much brings tears to my eyes. “That means a lot coming from you.”

“When did you fall in love with me?” A smile spreads over my face. “The moment I learned my party crasher was the goddess of mischief and chaos.”

“I wouldn’t have lasted long on my own. You might’ve taken me in the beginning, but in return, you gave me the freedom to be myself.”

“I accept all of you, Alexei. Your devil’s side, your ruthlessness, your amazingly big heart, and your demons you hide from the world. I love everything about you. There isn’t a man on this planet I respect more.”

When I flash the headlights, she opens the throttle, and then she speeds away like a bullet. “So fucking hot,” I chuckle as we fall in behind Ana’s van while Isabella takes the lead.

“She’s angry because I won’t be her prince,” Viktor mutters while digging a finger into the sand. Mariya’s chin begins to quiver, and she crosses her arms over her chest. I have to tighten my grip on Alexei’s arm as his body tenses. “My heart hurts,” Mariya sniffles, making my heart squeeze. Viktor glances at her, and then he scoots a little closer. Leaning forward, he stares at Mariya’s face. “Why are you crying?” he asks, his voice sweet as pie. “Because you’re mean.” Viktor wraps his arm around Mariya’s shoulders, then he says, “Okay, I’ll be your prince.” Instantly a triumphant smile spreads over Mariya’s face, and I slump back in my chair, shaking my head. “She takes after you,” I blame Alexei. “So fucking cute,” Demitri murmurs. Alexei grins at his friend. “I know.” “Fucker. I meant the kids.” “Of course.” Ariana drops down on the chair next to me, shaking her head. “It feels like Bella and I have four kids. Would be nice to have husbands once in a while.” “Amen, sister,” I agree.