Microsoft Word - Betrayal-Ashlynn_Monroe.doc by Dawn Read Free Book Online Page B

It's weak, but I think she's human again. My spell worked. I didn't tell her, but I think I was able to save her because she never took a life. You're

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    Betrayal Ashlynn
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    not dead; you never killed?"
    "No, I never killed anyone. Dyanna never gave me a chance, but I found a way to control the vampire needs. I never asked for this either. I just didn't want to lose her."
    Anthony flagged down one of the first responders.
    Soon his wife was on a gurney, on the way to the hospital.

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    Betrayal Ashlynn
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EPILOGUE

    Nondescript Apartment Building on Chicago's North Side

    Bettia left the apartment to go to work. They'd both gotten a fresh start after the fire. Joanie still hadn't completely forgiven her for being MIA for a year and refusing any sort of explanation. They'd decided on Chicago because Bettia had secured the job quickly after applying online. She was a surgical nurse at Rush University Medical Center.
    Dyanna didn't have to go into the café, since it was a day she wasn't scheduled. She looked at the messy apartment. It was definitely time to clean. Going to the closet, she pulled out the broom and her furniture polish. A knock sounded loudly at the door, and she walked over to see who it was. Looking out the peephole, all she could see was the profile of a man. Cautiously, she opened the door without releasing the chain lock.
    "Can I help you?"
    "Yes, you can, by forgiving me." Anthony's voice sounded contrite.
    Pulling the door open, Dyanna gazed up at her very

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    mortal husband. "I thought you were dead." Her voice was cold and emotionless, not betraying the joy in her heart.
    "When the news reported on the fire, your name was on the list of the people who died. I'm still shocked the authorities never figured out the truth about the vampires. Darius was smart to have built his family from people he'd found across the country."
    "He also never let anyone stay in the clan more than a decade before killing them. I think he was afraid someone would recognize a long lost family member who hadn't aged at some point. The bastard made a lot of enemies."
    She hadn't seen him after the fire. She'd woken up in the hospital with Bettia and Joanie at her side, but no Anthony. He'd disappeared; they'd assumed he'd died from injuries, or maybe the spell. Yet, here he stood, alive.
    "I'm sorry." He looked like hell.
    "For what, killing me, or saving me?"
    "Never for saving you. I love you, Dy. I didn't know how to apologize, what to say." He ran his hand through his hair. "I've tried to live without you, but I can't. I know you can't forgive me, but I can't stay away anymore. Honestly, I've been building up the courage to find you since the fire, but when I thought about the look in your eyes… I never want to see you look at me like that again."
    "That's a pretty shitty excuse." Bitterness laced her

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    words with vehement.
    "I know. Dyanna, God, you're so damn beautiful."
    He pushed into the apartment, enveloping her in his arms.
    His lips found hers with a blinding desperation that stole her breath. She clung to him. She'd missed how he tasted, how he held her. Despite her anger, it felt unbelievably good to be in his arms again.
    He pulled back to look deeply into her eyes. "I never want to lose you again. I don't want to live without you."
    "I know." She felt the same way. She was angry—
    bitter, but she loved him. No matter how big a bastard he'd been, he was the only man she'd ever loved. Dy wanted to kick herself in the ass.
    "Will you be with me, Dy? Give me another chance?"
    He was asking a lot of her, too much. "I don't know.
    I need time, lots of time. I'm not going to tell you that I never want to see you again, but I honestly don't know if I can ever forgive you."
    He crushed her to him in a kiss that told her just how much he wanted that second try at happiness.
    "You are my salvation, Dyanna. I'll be the man you deserve."
    "I