Virtuous Lies (Lies of the Underworld, #1)

by Haley Jenner

“For the people I love, I’m exactly who you describe.” “For the people you love,” he echoes, tasting the insult on his tongue. “Maybe my hope is that one day you’ll love me.”

“I don’t think the darkness within my heart would ever allow space for love, dolcezza. Monsters are more afraid of the light than angels are of the dark.”

“You’re my undoing,” he whispers, low enough that Lorenzo can’t hear. And you’re my peace.

“I’ll tell you I love you every minute of every day for the rest of my life if that’s what you want.”

“You think I’m unlovable?” He shakes his head. “I love you without obligation, without expectation. My love is the truest you’ll ever feel, the deepest you’ll ever know. I thought you knew that.” My chin wobbles. “I didn’t,” I whisper. “Sei il mio universo,” he declares. You’re my universe. “Sei la miglior cosa che mi sia capitata.” You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.

“I told you I had no capacity for love, afraid you would never find it in you to love me back. I loved you before you knew I was an option. You knew I existed, but you had no idea of the way my heart longed to beat your name.”