Aria pov
"But if they do," I pressed on, forcing myself to meet his eyes. The hallway light cast shadows across his face. "Make sure Noah knows I loved him. That everything I did was for him."
"You're going to tell him yourself," he insisted, his voice fierce and uncompromising. "Tomorrow morning, over pancakes with chocolate chips and whipped cream smiles. You're going to tell him yourself."
"Promise me anyway," I whispered, my throat tight.
"Aria" he started, reaching for me.
"Promise me, Damien!" My voice cracked, echoing down the empty hallway.
"I promise," he said, pulling me into his arms. He crushed me against his chest, his heart pounding against my ear. "But you're going to be fine. We both are. Because I'm not letting Marcus take you from me. Not now, not ever."
I let myself lean into him, borrowing his strength for just a moment. His cologne mixed with the scent of his skin, familiar and grounding.
