“But doesn’t The Association control these governments?” Rafe asks.
“They do. But the powerful are always paranoid.” Sebastian twirls his pen.
“And you get to save the day.”Ren shakes his head, an admiring glint in his eyes. He chucks his mask onto the table.
Aleksei mock gasps. “The lethal assassin is gifting me with the honor of his face.”
“Fuck you,”Ren signs.
I stare at Edon’s message and type back.
Elias
I was waiting for your call. I’ll take care of it, but on my terms.
Chapter 20: THA?KSGIVING
I’m trapped here.
Unable to focus, I set down a book I’d taken from the living room bookshelf.
Radical Acceptance in Dark Times
I wonder if the asshole left that there as a message for me. Radical acceptance, my ass.
It’s been two and a half weeks since we moved to Chicago, and aside from avoiding me like I’m contagious with the plague, he only communicates via texts or Ren. My silent bodyguard looks like he wants to put a bullet in his head to end his misery.
I don’t blame him.
Something needs to change. I can’t spend day after day waiting for PR assignments to pass the time, having no meaningful conversation with anyone.
I miss noise. I miss little Levi’s giggles. I miss my brothers’ bickering and gossiping with my girlfriends.
Thanksgiving is next week. I’ve never spent the holiday away from my family, and I miss them so damn much.
I’ve been accommodating—absolutely theperfectprisoner, really. I haven’t gone out. I’ve completed every task he sends my way. And while Elias has finally removed the barricade—suspicious in and of itself, but I’ve stopped trying to figure out his games—I haven’t even tried the third floor yet.
Because I want something from him.
I just want to go home for the holiday. One little trip back home is perfectly reasonable. If he doesn’t want this marriage to be a living hell for both of us, he has to compromise.
Balling my hands into fists, I head downstairs. I’m going to find my husband and make my case. Then I’ll see my family.
The infuriating man strides out of his office as I reach the hall. He looks too good in a tailored shirt and vest, collar unbuttoned, a hint of skin glinting under the light.
His gaze narrows the second he spots me.
“I have a proposal,” I begin.
“No.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, forcing calmness. “You haven’t even listened to it.”
“I don’t need to. The answer is no. Simple. Or are you hard of hearing?”
Air hisses through my teeth. “Is this how it’s going to be? I can’t go anywhere, do anything? I’m to sit around until the end of February?”
“My spoiled princess getting bored?” He flicks his lighter open.
