Escaping The Mafia King

No! There was no way she could let him go. He was turning away from her again, walking away. He was going to end up just as she'd assumed he was all this time. She wrenched her arm out of Marco's grip and ran to Varys.

He must have heard her steps because he turned as she barreled into him and hugged her tight to his chest. His heart beat against her ear, and while it was comforting, it didn't make the fear dissipate. "Varys, you can't die on me."

"I'm not going to die, Hope. I'm not leaving you after finding you. We're going to spend the rest of our life together, and maybe I'll share you with a brat or two, we'll see. But you already agreed to be mine, why would I ever risk not coming back to you?"

"But Ethan-"

"Hope, listen to me." Varys took his forefingers and tilted her chin up so she was staring up at him. "Look into my eyes, Hope. Do I look like I'm lying to you?"

No, he looked beyond capable. But still, how could she forget what she'd lived? What she'd seen with her own eyes? "No, but-"

"No, Hope. There is no buts. When I'm through with him, he's going to be nothing more than a bad nightmare you once had. You don't need to stay afraid of someone like him. He's nothing, and will always be nothing. I will take care of you, I promise. We're together, now, you and me, and your battle against him is now mine. Let me end this for you."

"Varys, I won't be able to go on without you. I believe in you, but be careful. Don't give him an opening, and watch out for his cheap shots. Please, come back to me."

Varys smiled. "Those are close to the words I want to hear, but I know you can do better, Hope."

she'd have laughed. Even still, her lips twitched as she contained it. "Varys," she growled

Hope, it'll make you feel better, I promise." He hadn't let go of her chin this entire

love you, Varys,"

her back. His lips covered hers, questing, demanding, and

him. She just

Marco demanded. "You know the Boss is going to skin

him," Hope assured. But would Varys even listen to her? Was this

plagued her on

have fallen completely under his thrall. Even now, there was a spot soft she couldn't deny for the man. Even if she

again and grabbed her arm, leading her

but bit it down. The man was only following orders, and she

This one looked far closer to a prison,

you inside too. You'll be safest there, that way no one else can get to you

"You aren't staying inside?"

My job is to keep you alive, not risk my life. Alone with you in a private space like that? Boss would skin me alive and

as the metal door slammed behind her. Marco locked the door and shut the barrier that allowed