“Let’s go, Cristian.” She leads the way out of the garden, me following behind, wishing I had more eyes as I scan every possible way to make sure we won’t be killed or stopped on our way out.
As we exit the garden and walk toward the SUV, Maksim watches us, his predatory gaze following Valentina's every movement.
I position myself slightly between them, my hand hovering near my weapon.
Only when we're safely inside the vehicle with the doors locked do I allow myself to breathe.
The air between us is electric with tension as I start the engine.
Valentina's composure finally cracks.
Her hands tremble in her lap.
"Thank you," she whispers, voice barely audible over the engine.
I whip out of the drive and make it several miles down the road before I pull over and kill the engine.
Rage boils over.
It’s all I can do to keep from turning around to put a bullet in Maksim's skull, consequences be damned. "He won't touch you like that again."
"You can't always be there." Her voice breaks on the last word.
I turn to face her properly. "Watch me."
Our eyes meet. That crazy connection we have, the one that will get us killed, passes between us.
"Are you okay?" I ask, trying to resist the urge to pull her close.
Valentina's trembling intensifies.
She presses her hand against her heart.
I can only imagine how fast it’s beating.
"His words… they're still in my head. The way he talked about what he plans to do to me. Like I'm not even a person."
The fury that surges through me is primal, visceral. I've killed men for less than the fear I see in her eyes right now.
"Valentina…"
"I can't do it." Her voice breaks completely now, tears spilling over. "I know what my duty is. I know what I promised Alessandro. But I can't…" She shudders. "I can't bear the thought of him touching me. Of being trapped with him for the rest of my life."
The pain in her voice guts me.
I reach across the space between us, unable to stop myself from taking her hand.
Her fingers are ice cold.
"I won't let him hurt you." The promise escapes my lips even though I know it’s a vow I have no power to keep.
Her eyes meet mine, searching. "How can you stop it? How can anyone? Once I'm his wife…"
The unfinished thought hangs between us. We both know what happens to women who displease Maksim.
I pull her into my arms without thinking, needing to take away her fear but feeling wholly inadequate. "Listen to me, I know you're scared. You have every right to be."
She fits perfectly against me, her head tucked beneath my chin.
