I can’t turn to look at her. I can’t bear to face her, or I’ll break. Her tears will shatter me.
I’ve always vowed to protect her. At first, it was a sadistic game designed to lure her in and gain her trust. But over time, it became my entire reason for being. She is my only reason for existence. My heart beats for her, and I don’t know if I’ll be capable of breathing once I leave her sweet scent behind.
The prospect of spending the rest of my life without her makes whatever I have of a soul scream in agony.
The pain is far less than I deserve.
“Don’t you dare leave me,” she seethes, following me down the stairs. “I won’t let you do this.”
I’m beyond words now. I’ve said every cruel thing I could muster. She’ll have to stew in it. She’ll learn to hate me in time.
“You promised!” she shouts raggedly. “You promised yourself to me. You’re mine, Dane Graham.”
I can’t stop my body from reeling like she’s landed a physical blow. My sweet Abigail is every bit as fiercely possessive of me as I am of her. She’s my perfect match, my everything.
My fingers tremble slightly as I reach for the handle on our front door.
“Look at you,” she accuses. “You’re shaking. I don’t know why you’re doing this, but I know you don’t want to.”
I turn the knob.
“I love you!” She flings it at me like a dagger.
The blade hits its mark deep in my chest, and I can’t suppress a pained grunt.
She wedges herself between me and the exit, pressing her back against the door to prevent me from opening it. Her small hand rests directly on my heart, and I can practically feel her looping a cord over it, tethering me to her.
“I can’t stay.” The admission is gruff.
I’m wavering. I can’t waver.
“Step aside.” There’s no force in the breathless order. “You have to let me leave.”
I’m not commanding; I’m begging.
Her other hand comes up to cup my cheek, grounding me to her. “No.” Her stunning eyes search mine. “Tell me why you’re doing this.”
“I’m saving you!” I thunder. “I promised to always protect you. I’m the most dangerous person you’ve ever met. I’m sadistic and selfish, and I’ve wronged you in ways you can’t even imagine. I’ve hurt you, Abigail. Just like all the other men who’ve hurt you. I have to protect you fromme.”
Her petal pink lips part, but she doesn’t have an opportunity to speak before I barrel on.
“You said men see you as prey. Well, I’m the worst predator you’ve ever encountered. Do you know how much pleasure I derived from hunting you? Trapping you? I bound you to me in every way I could, and I never intended to let you go. You were right: you never had a choice.”
Her brows draw together in determined slashes. “You’re wrong. I chose you. You know how stubborn I am. I could’ve fought you for the rest of my life, but I married you instead.”
“Abigail—”
“No. It’s my turn to speak. Do you know what my plan was back in England, when I first woke up in your family home? I was going to prove to you that I didn’t love you. I was convinced that you would tire of me if I showed you how much I reviled you.
“But I failed miserably, because even when I was terrified and enraged, I never stopped loving you. I’m not capable of it.”
“That’s because I warped you,” I growl. “You don’t love me. You can’t. Because you don’t know the real me. You’ve never wanted to truly see me for what I am.”
She tips her chin back. “And what is that?”
“Your worst nightmare. All the terrible things other men have done to you when they’ve violated you is nothing compared to how I’ve treated you. I wanted you, so I took you. Like you’re a toy I could play with.”
“Stop it,” she seethes. “You’re trying to be cruel and push me away again. I won’t allow you to do that. I know you care for me. Possibly more deeply than you understand. I’m not a fool. I know you’re obsessed with me, and our connection is twisted. That doesn’t make it any less real. It doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
