Twisted (Never After, #4)

by Emily McIntire

“The girl and everything that comes with her are mine,” I say, my eyes flaring.

That’s what cancer does. It ravages you from the inside out without caring who you are. It doesn’t matter whether you keep the world in the palm of your hand or if you have more money than God. It just feeds on death. And death always wins, one way or another.

It’s amazing what we’re capable of overlooking— what we’re willing to do— when it comes to those we love.

Only now, she’s burned into my brain. And I’m not sure how to get her out.

“So you give up your life for his?” “He’s my only family,” I whisper, my fingers tightening until they feel like they might break. “He’s all I have left.” “You still have yourself,” she answers back. “You shouldn’t have to give that up too.”

I know avoiding problems never makes them disappear, but for some reason, I continue to test the theory, hoping that eventually I’ll be surprised and things will magically get better.

It doesn’t matter if I’m not his choice. I’m my own choice, and I’m the only person who’s never let me down.

“I will never sleep with you.” He frowns, pressing a hand to his chest. “Devastated.” “And I’m not your wife.” He quirks a brow. “Yet.”

I can’t even take in its beauty without being reminded of the chains that are attached.

Funny how such a simple thing can cause such a cataclysmic reaction.

“If I’m the devil, amore mio, cast stones at the one who made me.”

“Sei bellissima quando implori.”

I felt safe. Cared for. Wanted. Desired. And that’s not to say I’ve never felt those feelings before, but having that type of attention from Julian Faraci is like being used to cloudy days and then being blasted by the sun.

“I want your blood and your anger and your violence and your lust.” My thumb brushes against her bottom lip. “I want your smiles and your tears and your insolent fucking mouth.”

“I want to reach into your chest and hold your heart in my hands, making sure it only beats for me,” I rasp. “But I don’t want your firsts, Yasmin. I want your forever.”

“You’re an angel, gattina. And I’ll break your wings just to keep you by my side. So do us both a favor and walk. The fuck. Away.”

“I want your laughter and your tears and your smiles too.” She brushes a finger against my lip. “I want your broody stares and your fucked- up morals and your obnoxious need to always tell me what to do.”

“I’m in love with you, Julian Faraci. And I would burn the world myself if it meant I could keep you by my side.”

Some people say that family is family, blood is blood. But I say that toxic is toxic, and no one is more important than my inner peace, even if it means I lose them for good.

Because none of this means anything if I don’t have her.

“I want your laughter and your love and your endless fucking light. I’m a greedy man. A selfish one. And I want it all. I want the rest of your firsts and your forever.”

“Tell me you’re mine.” She drops down until she’s on her knees, her hands flying to cup my jaw, forcing my eyes on hers. “I’m yours, Julian Faraci. I choose you.”

“Don’t you know yet, gattina? I would do anything for you. Burn this life down to the ground and build a whole new world if you demanded it.” She grins, pressing her lips against mine one more time. “To a new world then.” “Our new world.”