King and Cill had already told me that this failed deal had essentially created another rival to the Brannington empire. The Bocharovs were going to be out for blood. If they dared to touch what belonged to me... who belonged to me... I’d end their entire bloodline. And anyone else who dared to come for her.
“I told you that you were mine, and as such, you’ll never be free of me.”
“Even in death?” she asked me.
I growled. “Especially in death. There’s nowhere you can go to free yourself of me. If you want to die, we’ll do so together. If you want to live, we’ll do it together as well.”
“And if I want my old life back... My family, friends, career?”
“As long as there is room for me in that life, then yes.”
“And if I don’t want that?”
The very thought hadn’t even occurred to me, but she had thought about it enough to voice it. The cut just got deeper. “Then I’ll cuff your goddamn ankles to this bed and keep you here forever with me.”
NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS
ONE MONTH LATER
Growing up, I’d always loved vacationing at my parents’ Nantucket estate. It was not only massive in size, but it also sat on nearly six acres of land that bordered the harbor. It had twelve bedrooms, thirteen and a half bathrooms, and a guest house that I had spent the night in with Zarren.
It had felt strange bringing someone other than Drake here to meet the parents. They’d always doted on my ex, so I wasn’t sure how they’d take the news that our relationship had come to an end, and that I had moved on. I’d told them that he’d been unfaithful, and it had been all I’d had to say.
While Drake was the typical tall, lanky guy, Zarren was also tall, but broad-shouldered, tattooed, and had a hard edge to him that made him seem that much more dangerous. My mother’s eyes had widened the moment I introduced her to him, and my father’s had narrowed.
To Zarren’s credit, he’d charmed them instantly, and not a single question was asked about Drake. Granted, I did try my best to keep him away from my parents, not for my sake or theirs, but for his. He’d been incredibly nervous, and it was only when I dragged him away from the festivities happening in the backyard that he seemed to settle down.
“Your parents seem pretty nice,” Zarren said as we walked along one of the stone paths that led to the Polpis Harbor.
“They’re the greatest parents one could ever hope to have.”
“They really love you,” he responded, and I could hear the slight dropping of his voice.
“They do,” I agreed, then I wrapped my arms around his back. “And I know he didn’t show it from what you’ve said, but I’m sure your great-grandfather loved you, too.”
Zarren chuckled. “That man loved power and nothing more.”
“I don’t believe that,” I murmured.
He spun around, then tipped up my chin. “He doesn’t matter. No one does, outside of you. Your love is the only one I want and need.”
His mouth came down softly on mine right afterward, and I weaved my hands through his hair before using the back of his nape to pull his head closer. A slight groan escaped his lips moments before he plastered them fully against mine.
Our tongues came out at the same time, immediately tangling with each other. So much had happened in the last month. Zarren had let me return to my old life for the most part, except he’d wanted me to move in with him right away.
Since I was allowed to come and go freely from his penthouse, I had agreed. It’d meant everything to me to be able to return to my job at the hospital. There was still so much left unsettled, though, mainly my friendship with Brae. She’d visited me at Mass General several times, hoping to talk to me, but I had nothing to say to her.
“Why didn’t you bring Braelynn?”my mother had asked the moment she’d gotten me alone.
My former bestie had been so close to my family, and my parents had loved her as if she was their own. As much as they had loved me. I’d wanted to tell her the truth that the one I’d trusted more than anyone else had betrayed me. This was my parents’ anniversary weekend, however, and I hadn’t wanted to ruin it.
“She had other arrangements this weekend, but she sends her congratulations on thirty years of wedded bliss,”I’d lied.
“She’s always been such a sweet girl.”
Actually, more of a backstabbing slut. She and Drake deserved each other, and from what I’d recently found out, the two were now serious.
“Your new man is quite handsome. I can see how happy he makes you.”
