Page 160

She shook her head and looked around again. "You don't smile much either." The corner of his mouth twitched before he could stop it.

Soren faced Lily. "Sit."

She folded her arms. "I'd rather stand."

"Very well." He remained behind his desk. "There are things that need to change."

"I figured,” she said.

"You are not leaving the estate,” he started.

Her chin lifted. "You can't decide that."

"I already have.”

"I have rights,” she insisted.

"You do." He could tell that this was going to turn into an argument, but he liked a challenge. Lily was definitely going to be a challenge.

"I'm leaving,” she said.

"No, you’re not."

She stared at him. "You don't own me."

Soren's eyes hardened. "I never said I did."

"Then stop giving me orders,” she hissed.

"They're not orders. They’re more like instructions."

"They sound like orders to me,” she said.

"They're meant to sound like ways to save your life, Lily,” he said, stepping closer to her.

Her cheeks flushed. "I am not a child."

"No." His voice remained calm. "But you're behaving like someone who doesn't understand the danger she's in."

Anger flashed across her face. "You don't know me."

"I know enough,” he countered.

"No, you don't."

"I know you witnessed an execution,” he said. "I know men followed us here, and I know they asked for you by description. "I know they'll torture anyone who helps you." He leaned forward slightly. "And I know you'll be dead before sunset if you walk out that gate." Silence filled the room, and her breathing became uneven.

Soren softened his tone—not his words. "I am responsible for your safety now."

"I didn't ask you to be,” she said.

"No, you didn’t. But I chose it,” he said.

"Why?"

Soren didn't answer immediately. The truthful answer was one he couldn't explain, because when bullets had started flying, protecting her hadn't been a decision. It had been instinct.

Instead, he chose the simpler truth. "Because I don't abandon innocent people." She searched his face.