“Adam Damien.”
I quickly share a look with the others.
“Is that who your father arranged for you to marry?” Julian asks, keeping his voice calm.
Carson looks like he wants to put his fist through the wall and likely kill someone.
“Yes. That was the name.” She takes a deep, shaky breath. “I don’t know who that is, but that’s the name. And I won’t do it. So if you’re planning to send me back so I’m out of the way and my father can form some sick alliance with that guy, I’ll just pack my things and go.”
“Stop.” I can’t hear another word about her leaving me. I tug her out of the chair, sit in it, and pull her onto my lap, not giving two shits that the other three are sharing looks of surprise. “You’re mine, and you’re not going anywhere. I’m sorry that what you overheard scared you, but it had nothing at all to do with you, firefly.”
“But I don’t want to cause problems for you.” She bites her lip and looks up at me. “If keeping me here is dangerous, if it puts you in danger, I need to go. I can’t … you can’t be in danger because of me.”
“We’ve got this covered, pretty bartender,” Carson says with a lazy smile. “Don’t worry about us.”
“I know you don’t all like me, and that’s okay, but?—”
“Who doesn’t like you?” I ask with a scowl.
“Maybe that’s the wrong word.Trust.You don’t all trust me. But I do like and trust all of you, and I can’t stay if your lives are at risk. I’ll figure something out.”
I growl and grip her chin, turning her gaze to me. “No. You’re not going anywhere. You’re not an inconvenience. And if any of them doesn’t trust you, that’s their problem.”
She shakes her head.
“I trust you,” Mateo says, surprising me. And by the way Eloise whips around to look at him, I’d say it surprises her, too. “After today, after what you said, I trust you. We’re not sending you anywhere.”
Julian watches her for a second, then lets out a breath. “I trust them,” he says, gesturing to us. “So unless you give me a reason not to, I’ll take you at your word.”
“We have some business to see to regarding your father and Damien both,” I tell her, pushing my fingers through her hair. “But it has absolutely nothing to do with sending you away. You’remine.Never forget that.”
She blows out a breath, and even though I can see she’s calmer, I hate that even that bastard’s name sent her spiraling.But not only for herself. For us.She was terrified of him—of her father—and rightly so. But her concern for us? Mind-blowing.
“I’m sorry. I’m okay. I’ll … just go have lunch with Scarlett. I might have a drink, too.”
“No,” Carson says, shaking his head, his expression restrained. Hard. “You’re shooting this afternoon, and you’ll be sober for it.”
“Well, damn.” Eloise laughs. “Actually, that works. I’ll take my frustrations out on a target.”
She kisses my cheek and then stands, but I tug her back and kiss her hard.
“Say the wordsI’ll leaveagain, and I’ll spank your ass until it glows red. Do you hear me?”
“I hear you,” she whispers. “I’m sorry.”
She leaves the room, and when we hear the front door close, Carson rubs his hands together.
“So let’s plan how we’re going to kill those fuckers. I’m sick of watching her freak out. Let’s end this.”
Forty-Seven
LULU
Today has been alot.
Between training with Mateo, overhearing my father and my supposed betrothed’s name in Rome’s office, my freak-out that wasincrediblyembarrassing, having the tracker put into the inside of my arm, and training with Carson this afternoon, I’m spent.
Spent.
