I think of Brad’s hand on my waist.
I think of the guns pointed in my direction.
I think of the way Leon stepped in front of me without hesitation. Claiming me to save me.
He didn’t have to do that.
“This isn’t very romantic,” I whisper, more to myself than anything. “This isn’t normal. And you’re terrifying.”
His mouth curves slightly.
I laugh, short and breathless, because if I don’t laugh, I might start crying.
“Jesus,” I murmur.
I wrap my arms around myself again, trying to hold together the pieces of the life I had half an hour ago.
Then I look at him. At the way he stands like nothing in the world could knock him off balance. At the way his eyes track every movement I make. At the way he hasn’t touched me again, even though he easily could.
He hasn’t lied to me once.
That counts for something. Right?
“What if I say no?” I ask.
His voice is quiet when he answers.
“Then I’ll still put a security team on you. I’ll still try to keep you alive.”
“But?”
“But I won’t be able to protect you the way I can if you’re mine.”
Mine.
The word sinks into my bones.
I close my eyes. This is insane. This is a nightmare. This is also very real.
When I open them again, my heart is pounding so hard I feel it in my throat.
“Okay,” I say.
Leon stills.
“Okay,” I repeat, forcing the word past the fear. “I’ll stay. I’ll… be your wife. At least for now.”
His eyes darken.
“Don’t agree unless you mean it.”
I lift my chin.
“I don’t want to die in a warehouse because I went on a bad date. And this seems like the only way to survive.”
He waits a beat, then his hand comes up slowly, cupping my cheek.
The touch is warm. Steady and possessive in a way that steadies me.
