Devil's Due [h.s.]

Chapter 69

edit: this book is fiction. these people don't exist in real life. it's not that deep. stop attacking every single choice a character makes just because you want to find a reason to hate them. if it bothers you that much, don't read. these comments are so draining.

i love you all but it gets really hard to wanna update when all i see are people downright bashing h and riv for one reason or another. just be a little kinder and more mindful of your words here. thank you <3

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Chapter 69

RIVER'S P.O.V.:

"Do you really have to leave today?" My eyes wandered over to where Harry currently stood with his back to me by the dresser, fixing the cuffs of his shirt. "Can I come with you?"

"Riv," a frustrated sigh fell from Harry's lips, and he spun on his heel to face me, resting his hands on the aged oak behind him. "You know you can't come." His gaze drifted up to meet mine, his expression softening briefly. "I wish I didn't have to go, but I do."

"Is it something to do with Damien?" I asked, drawing the comforter up to my chest as I sat up.

Harry, it seemed, was doing everything he could to keep his eyes on my face – not daring to look anywhere else. Part of me revelled in the reaction I drew from him when I let the material fall a little lower. The way he cleared his throat and glanced toward the ceiling.

"I won't be gone long," he managed, voice a bit strained, and by the time he made his way over to me, I'd completely forgotten what I'd even asked. "Mm," he hummed, knuckle finding the underside of my chin. He rested a knee between my legs and half-crawled his way toward me. "Look at me, pretty thing. It'll be fine, alright?"

"I know..." I rolled my eyes, feeling my skin heat as he ran the pad of his thumb over my lower lip. "Ugh, I know. I just..."

"What?" Harry cocked his head to the side, an amused grin creeping onto his face. "Can't go a few hours without me? Need me that badly–?"

"Don't–" I shoved his shoulder, trying to ignore the way my chest warmed at the sound of his laughter, "–get ahead of yourself there, bucko."

It was true though. This whole past week had been weird for the two of us. I hadn't been able to leave him alone, had barely been able to be on my own without thinking of him. And all of yesterday hadn't helped. The day we'd spent together, the laughing, the enjoyment of one another's company, the surprise, the domestic nature of it all. It felt... weirdly right. Like something I wasn't going to be able to let go of anytime soon.

After the firework display, we'd taken our time getting back to the villa. Or rather, I'd had to rest for a bit before being able to head out. Harry had been so good – hugging me to his chest, kissing up the length of my neck and whispering things in my ears, a mingle of both English and Italian, that had me dizzy with contentment and not wanting to leave at all. He'd had even offered that we stay overnight on the yacht but something about sleeping on open water made me uneasy, which ultimately had him laughing as we finally dragged ourselves back onto the docks. If he hadn't looked so overjoyed, so happy, I might have made some snarky comment about it.

We'd been so exhausted by the time we finally did make it back to our place that we nearly passed right out the moment we stepped through the door – after, of course, Harry had both tirelessly and relentlessly dragged me away from the cat that had turned up again, grumbling that he was going to take it back up the street and lock it in a crate until it finally left us alone. He took it all back though the moment I swore to leave right then and there if he followed through with it.