She held her chin high, her gaze boldly locked withhis. “Sounds like he was an awful man to include you in something like that at such a young age.”
A fair point. He’d hated his father, no doubt about it, but he’d also acknowledged the import of paying a price if one chose to cross him. It kept people in line, made sure he was both respected and feared.
“I nearly pissed myself, I was so bloody scared, but he didn’t take pity. On the contrary, he whipped me for my disobedience.”
Something dark and dangerous broke through her gaze – a violent rage burning brighter than any fire he’d ever seen. For the boy he’d been, perhaps, but not for the man he’d become. Considering what she had done, she did not care for him in the slightest.
“My view of the world was altered that day. I learned that my father was either my enemy or my protector, depending on whether I chose to stand with or against him. Loyalty, he told me later that day, was the only thing worth basing relationships on. Without it, you’re in constant danger.”
He huffed a breath. “I believed in your loyalty after you saved my life. That’s when I knew you were the woman I wanted to marry. Not because I enjoyed your company or because I found you attractive, though both of those increased your appeal, but because I thought I could trust you completely. Only I was a fool. It was just another trick, wasn’t it, Samantha?”
She shook her head. “No, it wa—”
“Stop. Lying.” The words he’d shouted filled the space between them, adding weight to the air.
Her lips thinned as her gaze hardened, as though she had any right to feel hurt or offended. “Our interactions were real.”
“Not true.” His anger increased with every attempt she made to deny the destruction she’d caused. “Nothing between us could ever be real as long as you plotted against me.”
“You don’t understand.” Her voice had an edge to it too now.
He bared his teeth and felt his upper lip curl. “I know you were working with Kendrick.”
“Yes.” Sparks flashed in her eyes. “But it’s not that simple. I had orders, not just from Kendrick but also from Harlowe.”
His hand lashed out, fingers catching her beneath her jaw. He felt the leap of her pulse and heard her breath hitch. Teeth clamped together, he leaned toward her, prepared to demand an explanation, when her hand came crashing down over his forearm so hard he was forced to release her.
A punch followed, knocking him further off balance.
Unprepared for the sudden attack, he staggered backward, but managed to reach out and grab her, his strained fingers latching onto her bodice.
He’d almost managed to regain his footing when she surprised him again, catching hold of his jacket’s lapel, her body twisting as she swept a leg behind him. They went down together, landing with a hard thud thatmade them both grunt. Which was all he had time to reflect on before she was rolling away, using momentum to turn him, attempting to force him onto his belly.
Enough.
He swiped his arm outward in a wide arc and felt the effect as her hold on him wavered. Taking advantage, he pushed himself upward while constantly turning, only to feel himself start to fall sideways as she used her weight against him once more.
Panting, he did what he could to avoid landing on her directly, only to fail when her legs wound around both of his, her arm hooking around his neck and pulling him into her much smaller frame.
Devil take it, he’d married a hellcat.
He clawed at the floor, tried to find purchase, crawl forward. Anything to regain the upper hand. Overpowering her should not be this hard. Yet he had to acknowledge her ability. Another aspect that threatened to make his blood boil. Whatever she’d learned at Reed’s, it didn’t come close to the level of skill she revealed to him now.
Another lie.
Pretending to be a weak woman desperate to know how she might defend herself if danger found her had merely been one more act – a means for her to get closer to him.
There was a sudden pounding at the base of his skull. A red hue colored his vision. He thrust his elbow back into her side, ignored the small yelp, and spun herwith all the force he possessed, smacking her into the carpet.
Furious not only with her but with himself for being so utterly blind, he straddled her body and grabbed both her wrists, effectively pinning her down.
“Who the hell are you?” His breath tore up his throat with each word.
“Your wife.” An insolent hiss that only enraged him further.
Had she been a man, he’d have beaten him until his face was no longer recognizable. But she wasn’t a man. She was a woman. Not the ideal opponent when what he needed more than anything at the moment was some means by which to unleash his wrath and frustration. Every muscle in his body shook. Blood roared in his veins, demanding he act – do something – dominate her in a way that would prove him the victor.
Instinct clicked into place, driving him forward. His hold on her wrists tightened, and his mouth descended on hers with punishing force.
