Chapter Fifteen (Dane’s POV) Decades before…

I couldn’t help leaning into her to press a kiss to her lips. Dipping my face to the nook of her neck, I pressed my lips to her skin and she shivered. The instant effect I had on her, made my heart soar. I shut my eyes to revel in the feeling for about a minute, enjoying how her body reacted to mine so naturally. And then the strong musk of a wet dog assailed my nostril, I let out a string of expletives in my head, wishing the fucker could fucking give me a break.

“I am going to distract him and you, my little one going to take the back door and get the hell out of here,” I whispered when I drew back a little to meet her gaze. Her eyes were darting in their sockets and what I saw in them floored me. “Saraya…” I called, knowing before she opened her mouth that she wasn’t going to follow my instructions.

“I can’t leave you,” she said simply, even with fear in her eyes. “Please, don’t ask me to,” she pleaded, reaching forward to clutch the fabric of my shirt. “I can help,” she added.