"I would never harm someone simply for being your former partner," he continued. "But a man who stalks you, who tries to intimidate you, who refuses to respect your boundaries and choices? That is different."
"I don't want you to do anything... illegal," I said carefully.
A smile touched his lips, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Of course not. I'm simply making you aware of where I stand on this matter."
His hand tightened slightly over mine, a gentle pressure that was somehow more reassuring than any words could have been. The thread between us pulsed with shared understanding, shared anger.
"No one will hurt you while I'm here," he said.
I believed him. God help me, I believed him completely.
"Thank you for telling me," he said, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of my hand. "This changes nothing about what I want with you. Except perhaps to make me more certain."
"More certain of what?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"That fate knew exactly what it was doing," he replied, "when it tied my thread to yours."
Chapter six
Fashion Forward
Magnur
Iheld the door for Jade as we left her apartment, my jaw clenched so tightly I could feel my teeth grinding. The knowledge that her ex had been here sent waves of rage coursing through me that I hadn't felt since breaking my bindings. We walked to my car in silence, my hand at the small of her back, my senses hyper-alert for any threat.
"Are you okay?" Jade asked softly as I got into the car.
"I'm fine," I lied. I was imagining what Trevor's face would look like with my claws slashing through it.
In my mind, I wasn't driving through city streets but hunting through dark woods, tracking the scent of prey. I could almost taste Trevor's fear, could almost feel his throat beneath my hands. How easy it would be to find him, to show him exactly what it meant to threaten my mate.
"Magnur." Jade's voice cut through my violent fantasy. "The light's green."
I blinked, realizing I'd been sitting at an intersection. I eased the car forward, forcing myself back to the present moment.
"Sorry," I muttered. "Distracted, I need to stop by my workspace," I told her, covering her hand with mine briefly before returning it to the wheel. "I have a client delivery I can't reschedule."
It wasn't a lie, exactly. I did have a delivery. But that wasn't why we were going there. I needed her somewhere safe that I controlled completely, while I figured out my next move regarding Trevor.
"Your fashion house?" Her face brightened, the fear from earlier receding. "I'd love to see it."
"It's not as glamorous as it sounds," I warned, though secretly pleased by her interest. "Just a workspace where my team and I create."
"Still," she insisted, "I want to see where you work. What you make." Her hand squeezed my thigh again
"Then I'll show you," I promised, navigating through traffic with slightly less murderous intensity. "Though I warn you, everyone will stare. I don't typically bring...visitors."
"Visitors?" She raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at her lips. "Is that what I am?"
"No, you're mine. My mate."
She didn't flinch at my possessiveness. If anything, her smile widened. "Good. Because I was planning to introduce myself as your demon booty call."
The unexpected joke startled a laugh from me. "You are..." I shook my head, unable to find the right words.
"Amazing? Hilarious? The best thing that's ever happened to you?" she supplied helpfully.
"Yes," I agreed simply. "All of those things."
