Sam.

This time, he held her. He didn’t speak, just wrapped his arms around her, and she heard the strong thunder of his heartbeat beneath her ear.

His heart pounded so quickly. A powerful beat. Not like before, with the boy she’d hurt so long ago.

“I’m not human.” Sam’s voice vibrated beneath her. She didn’t look at him, but her hand pressed harder against his flesh. “You know that means the usual rules don’t apply to me.”

She had to swallow again because her throat felt parched. “Meaning if you were human, I’d hurt you.” Because that was what she did. At sixteen it had been an accident, but as she’d gotten older, Rogziel had deliberately sent her out to lure others.

She hadn’t killed by draining them, but she knew that had been a risk.

“Who was he?” Sam’s fingers slid down her back, and goose bumps rose at his touch. For someone so dangerous, he could also be incredibly gentle at times.

“He was the first boy I kissed.” It was easier to tell the story without looking into Sam’s eyes. “And also the first boy I almost killed.” The kisses had turned into touches. Need had built within her. So hungry and new. She hadn’t even realized that something was wrong with the feelings she’d experienced, not until Patrick had collapsed.

“You’re sixteen, you’re making out, and then your boyfriend almost stops breathing.” Like that wouldn’t scar a girl. It had sure messed her up. “Rogziel told me how close I came to killing Patrick. I didn’t mean—I didn’t even know then that I could kill someone that way.”

Killing with a kiss. At sixteen, she’d learned just what kind of a monster she was.

Sam was silent, just . . . waiting. So Seline kept talking to fill that void. She’d never liked silence. It made the ghosts that surrounded her seem too loud. “At first, Rogziel was furious. I went to him for help.” A sad laugh slipped from her lips. “I didn’t have anyone else to turn to.”

His hand tangled in her hair. “You do now.”

Sam’s fierce vow brought her eyes to him. She wanted to believe him, wanted to so badly, especially with his body warming hers, but what would happen when the danger was gone? She wouldn’t have him at her side anymore.

No, then she’d have her freedom.

“Tell me the rest,” he growled.

She’d never told anyone before, but right then, it just seemed right to tell him. “A few years later, Rogziel realized just how very useful I could be. When he wanted to get close to one of his marks, he let me do the dirty work for him.” She hadn’t f**ked the men. Did that matter? She’d seduced, she’d charmed, but she’d never actually had sex with the marks that were her assignments. She’d never crossed that line.

Until Sam.

“Was the story about Moorecroft real?” No emotion hinted in his voice, and his hand still tangled in her hair.

She nodded and felt the tug against his wrist. “All of it. I killed his friend.” No choice. The bastard had almost broken her jaw. If she’d been a human, he would’ve shattered it. “When he has a chance, Moorecroft truly will be coming after me.”

“I don’t think so,” Sam murmured, and slowly released her hair.

She blinked and felt an ache in her chest. He doesn’t believe me. The first time she’d ever tried to bare her soul, and Sam thought she was playing him. “It’s true, I swear! Philip Drew was an ass**le who used his fists on women every chance he got. When I wouldn’t have sex with him, he started hitting me.” And for a mortal, he’d been incredibly strong. Once again, her backup—Alex—hadn’t come to her aid. “Philip had me on the ground. He kept hitting my face and kicking me with his steel-toed boots. The bastard broke two of my ribs.” She’d been coughing up blood.

“Then it’s a good f**king thing he’s dead.” A lethal softness had entered Sam’s voice. “He’s dead, and now his buddy Moorecroft has joined him in the grave.”

It took a moment for the words to register. “What? Moorecroft is dead? How—”

“Someone stabbed him with a shiv in his cell block.” His gaze glinted. “I guess he pissed off the wrong demon.”

Or the wrong angel—one who had connections to the demons in Moorecroft’s block. She was quickly realizing that the so-called heavenly beings could be more dangerous than any Other on earth.

“So don’t worry about Moorecroft coming after you. He won’t be hurting you, or any other woman, ever again.”