Chapter 22: TWENTY-TWO

J A D E

The moment Markov saw that I had started crying, he took me back home. I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

My heart was breaking, and my body was trembling. I was trying to comprehend what was going on, and what did it all mean, but nothing made sense.

My world had turned upside down, and it felt like a bad dream that was never going to end.

It was as if life was playing a cruel joke on me. Every time, it was always a rollercoaster of emotions, and the worst part was that I had no control.

I was feeling broken, weak and tired.

I couldn't think straight, and the only thing that I could focus on was the fact that I wanted to die. The tears kept coming, and the sobs were echoing in the car.

"Jade, what's wrong?"

Markov's voice was gentle, and I could feel the concern dripping from his words. I wanted to tell him, but my voice wouldn't come out.

"It's okay, baby. You don't have to tell me now. But, I'll need an explanation. But, please, Jade, don't cry. Please. It's breaking my heart, love. Please."

His voice was a plea, and for some reason, the sound of it sent a fresh wave of pain through my body.

"I just- I want- I-"

"Shhh. Don't say anything, baby. It's okay."

His hands were rubbing my back gently, his touch soothing, his words reassuring. I couldn't think straight.

I was lost in a maze of my own emotions, and I didn't know which way to go. Markov was holding my hand, and his touch was gentle, loving and soft. I wanted to believe him, I wanted to trust him, but I didn't know how.

I knew he wasn't telling me something, but I couldn't bring myself to ask him.

All I could focus on was the fact that Alpha Dane was threatening me. And not just that, he had also called Markov a monster. And Kellan, he said that Markov would bring destruction to everyone.

But, how?

Why?

And the thought that Alpha Dane could be right was haunting me. I could feel the panic rising in my chest, and my heart was beating erratically.

"Shhh. It's okay, baby. Everything's going to be okay."

His voice was low, his touch comforting, and the tears wouldn't stop. I was just so tired of everyone constantly threatening me, hurting me and lying to me. Would I ever catch a break? Would I ever be free from the chains of my past? Would I ever live a life where I don't have to constantly worry about everything?

"Shhh. Relax, love. You're safe."

"Why am I not safe, Markov? Why is everyone afraid of you? What are they hiding? Why won't you tell me? Why won't anyone tell me? How much longer will you hide it from me?"

He was silent, his face expressionless, his eyes focused on the road. His jaw was clenched tight, and his breathing was shallow.

"There is something, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me, please. Tell me why is Alpha Dane afraid of you. Why did he call you a monster? Why is everyone whispering about us when they think I can't hear? Why won't they tell me anything?"

"Because, Jade. The less you know about it, the better. I just want you to know that, no matter what you hear or what they tell you, remember that I will never hurt you. Not intentionally. I'm not a good man, Jade. And I've done a lot of terrible things, but if there is one thing you need to know about me, is that I will never and I mean never hurt you. Do you understand me?"

His eyes were dark, and the way he said it was making my heart race. His words were laced with honesty, and his expression was fierce.

I could feel my heart beating fast and hard against my chest, and I wanted to believe him. I've had no reason to trust someone in my life, because they always ended up betraying me, but for some strange reason, I couldn't help but want to put my faith in him.

I wanted to believe him.

I needed to believe him.

I wanted him.

Even though I couldn't understand it, there was something pulling me towards him, and a part of me wished that he was telling the truth. That he would never hurt me. I wanted to believe that he would keep me safe.

I wanted to have faith.

And if he was lying, then it would be the end of me.

"Hey. Look at me. Do you understand me, Jade? No matter what you hear, remember that I would never hurt you. Never."

"Yes. I believe you. And I trust you."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

I stared at his face, then down to his lips, and without thinking, I leaned in, closing the distance between us, and kissed him.

He was shocked at first, but then, his hand found its way to the back of my neck, and he kissed me back with passion.

His tongue was in my mouth, exploring every inch of it, tasting me, savoring me. His grip on my hair was tight, and he was kissing me with hunger, with lust, with love.

I wanted him.

I wanted him to take me, to claim me.

To make me his.

But he suddenly pulled away, his lips still touching mine, his breathing uneven, his voice hoarse.

"Let's get you home, love."

The moment we got home, I dropped my purse on the floor and smashed my lips to his, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Markov responded with fervor, kissing me hard, his tongue invading my mouth. His hands were roaming my body, caressing, teasing, squeezing.

I was aching for him.

Aching for him to make me his.

Aching for him to mark me again. Rightly this time.

I had no idea where this need was coming from, but I couldn't stop myself. I couldn't stop the desire that was flowing through my veins.

His mouth trailed down to my neck, kissing, licking, sucking.

"Oh, fuck, baby." He groaned.

"Markov, I want you. I need you."

He pulled away slightly, his forehead resting against mine. His gaze was dark, filled with hunger.

"You want me to claim you, baby?"

"Yes. Properly this time. Make me yours."

He growled and crushed his lips against mine.

"As you wish."

He lifted me up, carrying me bridal style to the bedroom, and placing me gently on the bed.

"Are you sure about this, Jade?"

"Yes."

I didn't hesitate.

Markov smirked and pulled off his suit, revealing a muscular body that was covered in tattoos. He slowly undid my dress, letting it fall to the ground, leaving me completely bare and exposed.

"Fuck. You're perfect."

He lowered himself onto me, his weight pressing down on my body, his hard cock digging into my stomach.

"Fuck, baby, I need to be inside you."

"Then do it. Take me, claim me. Make me yours. Make me feel safe."

He growled, his lips finding mine. He kissed me fiercely, his hands roaming over my body, pinching, squeezing, caressing.

His mouth trailed down my neck, his tongue licking and tasting every inch of skin. His teeth grazed the side of my neck, and I moaned as the feeling of pain mixed with pleasure.

"Oh, fuck, baby."

He bit down harder, and the pain was so intense, I thought I was going to pass out. He pulled away slightly, his face contorting in a mix of pleasure and pain.

He slowly entered me, filling me completely, stretching me.

"Shit, baby. You're so tight." He groaned.

He thrust inside me, his pace slow and deep, his fingers digging into my hips as he licked the mark on my neck, and a whole different wave of pleasure coursed through my body.

This time, his pace wasn't brutal like when he forcefully took me the last time. This time, his eyes weren't red, he wasn't hurting me, and his movements were controlled and slow.

It felt like it was a totally different man that was making love to me, and the feeling of him was sending jolts of electricity through my body.

It felt like a drug.

I was addicted.

He was a drug.

And I was his addict.

And the fact that he was taking his time was driving me crazy.

"Faster." I moaned.

He grunted and began thrusting harder and faster, his fingers gripping my hips as he pounded into me.

"Shit baby, you're gonna make me come."

"Oh fuck, Markov!"

He growled, his grip tightening, his pace increasing.

"Shit, I'm close, baby."

"Fuck! Yes, yes, yes, yes, oh god, Markov!" My vision blurred, my toes curled, my body trembling, my muscles tensing as the orgasm washed over me, my walls clenching around him, my nails digging into his back.

He roared, his body shaking as he released inside me, his cock pulsating and twitching, his eyes rolling to the back of his head.

"Fucking hell, baby."

His breathing was heavy, his voice raspy. We lay there, holding each other, our bodies pressed together, our hearts beating as one.

He kissed me softly, his lips brushing against mine. "Sleep, love. Tomorrow will be a long day."

"Okay."

I closed my eyes, exhaustion taking over. As I drifted off, I felt Markov wrap his arms around me, holding me tightly.

And at that moment, I felt safe.

Completely safe.