Page 169 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

“I need space.”

Tension, thick and damnable, shrouds us.

Lucian digs a hand into his hair. “We can give you space here.”

I glare. “At the home you chose for me.”

“Our home.”

“Don’t you get it? I’m done with you dictating what happens in my life.” Tears streaming down my face, I grab my purse and yank open the door.

Before I can reach the elevator, Caleb steps in front of me.

Every muscle in my body goes rigid. “Get out of my way.”

“Let our driver take you where you want to go.”

I exhale.

“We’ll go out of our minds if you wander around Houston alone.”

I stare at him. “Caleb.”

“You choose where you go. You choose how long you stay.” His voice roughens slightly. “You choose when—or whether—you see us again.”

“And if I tell you no?”

His gaze stays locked on mine. “I’ll fucking hate it. But I’ll move.”

Something catches painfully beneath my ribs.

I close my eyes briefly, and since I’m not sure I want to stand on the corner in the middle of the night waiting for a ride, I agree.

“Thank you.” He lifts his hand as if to touch me, but he immediately drops it and steps aside.

With a quiet chime, the elevator arrives.

Lucian lunges forward, but Caleb grabs his arm. “For the fucking love of God, let her go.”

For one terrible second, Lucian fights him.

Then his gaze finds mine.

And he stops.

I step into the compartment and turn to face them.

The doors close between us.

Chapter Forty-Six

Lucian

The elevator doors close on my wife.

For one suspended second, I stare at the seamless metal as if the force of my will can reverse what just happened.

Then I wrench against Caleb’s grip a second time.