For a second, I wonder if I just made a huge mistake.
"We didn't specify," he says smoothly. "And I'd much prefer a proper dinner to a rushed exchange in a parked car."
His serenity only sharpens my panic. I grit my teeth. "Darius. No. I don't have time. I need to get back or they'll know I slipped out. They'll worry."
"They are distracted." His tone doesn't waver. "It will take some time before they realize the lead is false."
My head snaps toward him. "Who's distracting them?"
"Johnny," he replies, almost indulgently. "We're surrounded by nature, and, as you may know, fauns have special abilities when it comes to illusions."
I exhale, shaky. "Johnny. All right."
"Indeed." His eyes gleam. "I asked him because I knew it would ease you. He won't go against my order not to harm your… husbands."
The word twists in his mouth, and I squirm in my seat, hating the knot in my gut.
"I could have attacked. I could have done much more by force." His tone remains calm, but his words dig under my skin. "But I didn't. I won't. Not unless I'm provoked."
I bite my lip, turning to the window. Forest shadows blur past, my reflection pale against the glass. "Where are we going?"
"A members' club. They have a restaurant I find… reputable."
"And it's around here?" My suspicion spikes. "Never heard of it."
"It's a little out of town," he says smoothly. "I imagine your friends are not members. Which is why you wouldn't know of it."
I roll my eyes. "Really? Judging my circle because they're not rich enough for your fancy clubs?"
He studies me. "Not judging, Sage. Only answering. I want you to relax and feel safe. I will not harm you, nor take youaway." His expression softens, and I notice something like hurt. "I'm not the monster you're making me into."
I sigh and sink back into the leather seat, though tension still coils in my chest. "All right. I'll… I'll try. But it's been intense, Darius. We had a shootout, for gods' sake." My voice softens despite myself. "Did anyone get hurt on your side? Besides Darlene and Johnny."
"Hurt—yes. But no fatalities, thankfully."
I nod, feeling somewhat relieved.
Folding my arms tight across my chest, I look out the window again. No use lying to myself. I know I'm being reckless. Completely, utterly, selfishly reckless. I tell myself it's for peace, for truce, for the people I care about. But there's another truth I can't shake: Iwantto hear what Darius has to say. I want to look him in the eye and find out what's real and what's manipulation.
Across from me, he opens a polished compartment and takes out a bottle of whiskey and two crystal tumblers. Like this is nothing more than a business meeting. He pours, adds a splash of water, and hands me one.
I accept it, mostly for something to do with my hands.
"You're not making a mistake," he says, like he's plucked the thought straight out of my head.
I sip, the burn grounding me. "You say you're not a monster, but you came here ready to drag me away by force."
He swirls his glass, gaze distant and thoughtful. "We're engaged, Sage. How could I not come for you? Someone poisoned your mind, and I was meant to sit by and let you go? After everything we've been through? After what we've built? That's not who I am."
My throat tightens, anger pushing through the nerves. "We're not engaged. I'm married. Twice over, in case you haven't noticed."
His eyes meet mine, a shadow of grief flashing through them. "I noticed," he says quietly. "But the fact that we are no longer engaged doesn't change that I love you."
The words hit like a knife, sinking into my gut before I can brace for it. I turn away, unable to bear the weight of his gaze.
"You don't care that I'm married?" My voice is thin and brittle. "That I'm with them now? You still want me back?"
He leans back with a heavy sigh, one hand loose on the glass. "Am I happy knowing you gave yourself to others? That you share your bed with them? No." His tone darkens, then steadies again. "However, I am more than two thousand years old, Sabrina Quinn. I've seen too much, endured too much to let jealousy or petty emotions blind me. I don't waste myself on bitterness. I seek what I want." His eyes sharpen, pinning me. "And what I want is you. That hasn't changed. It won't."
