Do it later. Now’s not the time.
Pain radiated through my sternum.
I breathed deeply and fought against my debased urges as Cleandro let the girl off the hook.
He should be punishing her for her lack of self-preservation, not fucking rewarding her. She’s one wrong move away from death.
Alexis stared at Cleandro with wide, grateful eyes, but there was a dimness in her gaze that was uncomfortably familiar.
Life had hurt her.
Badly.
Just like it had hurt me.
It doesn’t matter. Don’t feel bad for her. That’s what she wants. This is all a game to her.
She didn’t make sense.
From what I’d seen, Alexis blundered through life, naive and frustratingly innocent, with no thought for the consequences. Mix in her sanctimonious need to prove women should fight along Spartan men, and you had my worst nightmare come to life.
But I was here.
I was the consequences.
Iwas going to keep her, and all the women under my charge, safe, whether she fucking wanted it or not.
Cleandro walked away, and I lingered at the door, fighting the urge to do something. Instead of following him out like I should have, I stalked forward across the library, unable to avoid the pull in my gut.
Alexis’s delicate features blanched as she saw me coming.
You better be afraid.
When I stood a foot away, I leaned close, discreetly inhaling her intoxicating scent. A growl burned the back of my throat, and my fingers itched to find out if her golden curls were as soft as they looked.
Concentrate.
With a low growl, I warned her to take better care of herself. Warned her there would be consequences.
She glared up at me with horror.
Kronos, she made me feel like a monster, like shewasn’t the one setting Helen up for pain. I was the one trying to keep everyone safe.
Did she think it was easy?
What did she think, that I’d fucking coddle her? Welcome her with open arms? Applaud as she risked her life like an idiot?
As Alexis stared up at me, her long dark lashes fluttered. Up close, I could see the gold flecks in her midnight-colored eye.
Her tongue flicked out, and she licked across her blood-covered lips. They were curved perfectly.
My silk boxers grew tight, and I instantly loathed myself.
Fuck, what am I doing?
I was older than her and I was her professor.
This was wrong on so many levels.
