THE NIGHT HE DIED IN MY ARMS

I lied to my family about having a boyfriend.

One stupid lie to get my mom off my back about being single at Christmas. I never expected my brother to recognize the random guy in my Instagram photo. I definitely never expected that guy to be Luca Vega-his best friend who vanished six years ago and took my seventeen-year-old heart with him.

Now Luca's back, looking like every dangerous fantasy I've ever had, and he's agreed to play my fake boyfriend. Just for Christmas. Just to keep up appearances.

Except nothing about Luca is fake. Not the way he looks at me like I'm something precious. Not the way his touch sets my skin on fire. Not the footprints in the snow outside my bedroom window or the threatening messages spray-painted in our barn.

"You took six years of my life. Now I'm taking everything you love."

Someone from Luca's past is hunting him. And I'm the perfect target.

I should run. Should tell him to leave before his danger becomes my family's nightmare. But I've loved Luca Vega since I was fifteen years old, and I'm done pretending I can survive without him.

Even if loving him means facing a killer.

Even if it means taking a bullet meant for his heart.

Even if it means the night he dies in my arms becomes the night that changes everything.

This Christmas, love will be worth dying for.