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Her chin lifted, defiance burning bright even through the hurt. “So, you used me.” The words were a bare whisper in the room.

He took a deep breath, held it until his chest burned, then released it slowly. But his head dipped in a nod. “Yes. I admit it. At first, I’d hoped to use you. When you showed up at Sal’s place, my first thought was that maybe you could finally lure your father out of hiding.”

He stepped closer, then froze when she backed up, her eyes flashing warningly. “I wanted to hurt your father the same way he hurt me. I wanted to take everything from him that mattered.” His voice dropped, thick with regret. “But then I got to know you.”

Her pretty lips pressed into a hard, angry line.

“I know you don’t believe me,” he continued quickly, words pouring out before she could stop him. “But once I got to know you, the plan changed. You became far more important than revenge.”

She shook her head, her disbelief plain. “You’re lying again.” She flung the backpack over her shoulder. “I’m leaving. I understand now. You wanted revenge on my father, and I was the easiest path to it.” Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the strap. “But I won’t be bait. I won’t be used. He’s a monster. I know that. He probably deserves everything you plan to do to him. But I won’t help you.”

She moved to step around him. Paulo’s gut clenched in panic and he grabbed her arm. “Madelaine, you can’t leave.”

“I can,” she snapped, jerking out of his grasp. “And I will.”

“No.” His voice was suddenly sharp, full of command. “You won’t. I won’t let you put yourself in danger.” His frustration cracked through, hot and fierce. “Your father plans to sell you off to some Russian relic. You know it. And I will not let you walk out of here and into that fate. I promised to protect you, and I damn well will.”

Her eyes blazed. “By using me as bait.”

“No!” he barked, then dragged a hand down the back of his neck, forcing his temper back under control. His next words came out rough, almost pleading. “No. Madelaine, I know you don’t believe me, but everything changed. You changed me.”

She gave a sharp, disbelieving laugh. “Right.”

“It’s true.” He stepped toward her again, slower this time, careful, though his need to close the distance clawed at him. “You’re sweet. You’re stubborn. You’re so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. I can’t…!” he cut himself off, shaking his head. “I won’t let you put yourself in danger. But I will help you. I’ll help you end this with your father once and for all.”

Her eyes narrowed, suspicion etched across her face. “Why should I trust you?”

“Because I don’t break promises,” he finished fiercely.

Her lips trembled, but her voice was ice. “Except with me.”

He shook his head hard. “Not true. I’ve kept you safe. Your father is here in Detroit. My people are hunting him down right now. And when I find him, I’ll deal with him, so you never have to lay eyes on him again.”

She was very still for a long moment. Paulo wondered if he’d lost her, if she still didn’t believe him. But after that moment, she took a deep breath. “How?”

Relief hit him so hard his knees threatened to buckle. Almost. Paulo knew he hadn’t won. He’d only postponed her departure. But that single word, that question, meant she hadn’t shut him out completely. And that gave him time. Time to fix the mess he’d made.

“I don’t have a perfect plan yet,” he admitted, moving closer, his hands shoved deep into his pockets to keep from reaching for her. “But what if we come up with one together? You’ll be in it from the start. No secrets. No hidden agendas. Just you, me, and my men, working side by side.”

She hesitated, chewing her lip as if weighing every word. For a moment, he saw the vulnerable Madelaine. The one who wanted to believe, who wanted to trust him. Then her spine straightened, her stubborn chin lifting.

“Fine,” she snapped, sliding the backpack off her shoulder and dropping it onto the bed. “But I’m not sleeping with you.”

He blinked. That was… not ideal. But he probably deserved it. “We’ll table that issue for now,” he conceded, choosing his words carefully. She was here. She was safe. He’d take that win. The rest would come.

“Never again,” she insisted, jabbing her finger into his chest for emphasis.

He caught her wrist, holding it firmly. “Do you really think we can resist each other for long?” His voice dropped, rough and husky. He leaned in just enough to make her breath catch. “I know your body, Madelaine. I know what makes you sigh. I know where to touch you…” His gaze dropped to her lips, lingering. “I know how to make you scream.”

Her lips parted slightly, a betraying tremor in her breath. His grin was pure sin.

“You love me,” he murmured. And then something about himself became clear. He couldn’t hesitate any longer. He couldn’t risk losing her and she needed to know how important she was. So, he said, “And I love you. There’s no chance in hell we’ll stay apart for long.”

Then he released her wrist and stepped back, forcing space between them. “But for now, separate beds. When I’ve proven that you can trust me, when you’re ready, we’ll finish what we started.”

Without waiting for her reply, he strode from the room, his mind already spinning with possibilities. Pulling out his phone, he typed quickly and hit send.

We’re getting married.