“I’ve given you eighteen years of loyal service. I want out.”
“Oh, Derek,” he said, “You think that by rescinding your service for Ares, you cleanse your soul of all the blood you’ve spilled? That you’d become a new man? Then what? A husband?” He doubled over with laughter, and I put a shaky hand on my gun. As he returned to his desk, Ronan gave me a suspicious side-eye. “Wait, don’t tell me—you want to be a father too?”
“Fuck you!” I spat, pulling my gun, the barrel trained on him.
He placed his cigar in a dish and held his arms at his side. “Do what you gotta do, Derek. But if you think you’re walking out of this building in one piece after shooting me, you press your luck. You’ll be sealing your fate, as well as hers.”
I shook my head and aimed. “You threaten her, and I’ll feed you your fucking dick.”
“Don’t be so hasty. I never said I wouldn’t consider your request.”
I arched a brow with curiosity. “You have fifteen seconds to explain yourself.”
“You know the rules, Derek. There’s always a price to pay. The oath isn’t broken on a contract of words. Blood seals your fate in Ares, as sure it will grant your freedom. The question is, what are you willing to sacrifice—forher?”
“Everything.”
“Well, I’ll be goddamned.” He laughed. “Didn’t even hesitate. That must be one hell of a pussy.” I lowered my gun to center mass, the tension in my jaw almost painful. “Calm down, kid. Just jokes.”
“It’s not a request. Name your fucking price, and we’re done here.”
Ronan picked up his cigar and took a puff, eyes on me through the haze of smoke.
“You’re a cold-blooded bastard. You think I’m going to make this easy? Some random sack of shit that you wouldn’t even bat an eye for? Oh, no.”
My blood ran cold, anticipating the heavy price of my freedom. There was only one other person I’d kill and die for, and he knew exactly how to twist the knife.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT
EVANGELINA
Ithrew my damp hair over my shoulder as I reached for a water bottle.Leaning against the open door of the fridge, a smile spread across my face. Today had been a good one. Sam was showing more signs of improvement. And my first day back to work had proved to be just as rewarding. I’d received an email from Rayne, where she told me she was staying in Boston with her great-aunt and assured me she was doing well. Best of all, charges were likely to be filed against Dmitry for his role in the siege at the hospital. Getting those charges to stick would be the hard part, but I was determined not to get discouraged by the probability of him using his money and status to get off.
As I closed the refrigerator door, the sight of Derek nearly made me jump out of my skin.
“Fuck, baby, you scared the—”
The air rushed out of my lungs as his arms came around me. He buried his face into the crook of my neck, squeezing almost too much for me to expand my chest. “Derek,” I panted, drawing a breath of air. “Too tight.”
He loosened just enough for me to take in a lungful. I tried to open up some distance between us, but he was too strong, too determined to hold me.
Something was wrong.
“Derek, what is it? Did something happen?” He was silent, shaking his head against my shoulder. “Hey, look at me. Talk to me.”
His grip on me tightened again as he exhaled a heavy, shaky breath. Cold shivers ran up my spine. I’d never seen him like this, on the verge of some emotional breakdown. My chest felt heavy with anguish and helplessness. It physically hurt me to know he was in pain, and I couldn’t help him.
Not when he wouldn’t speak.
As I started to call his name, he lifted me up and rested his forehead on mine as I circled his abdomen with my legs.
“What happened?” I framed his face gently with both hands. “Derek, you’re not alone anymore. I’m here. Let me help you.”
Silence.
His eyes were closed, and his breathing was steady and calm. There were no signs of tears in his lashes or tension on his perfect face. He almost looked like he was sleeping.
“Derek, you’re scaring me.”
