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He nods. I watch him, but I can’t swallow the facts yet.

“I want to be alone,” I state as I hug myself and lean on the edge of the mattress. I wait for him to deny me.

His lips thin. “If I let you go, and something did happen, I’d feel guilty about it,” he says quickly in a hushed voice. “So what am I supposed to do?” He opens his arms again. “Set you free in their cage, or make you a home in mine?”

My hope fades as I tip my chin back and stare at the ceiling, trying to anchor myself in this strange room.

“I’m scared,” I whisper, finally able to admit it now that I don’t have to look him in the eye.

“Of me?”

Hell fucking yes, I’m scared of you!

Lies.

That video of men in my house coming to get me plays the ultimate game of ‘Let me mind-fuck you.’

Who do I trust?

My back hits the mattress as I lie back. I curl into myself, refusing to look at him or answer him. I feel him pull the cover up over me before he steps back.

“There is a shower through that door. Take your time and use it. There are fresh clothes in the closet there.”

I don’t look to see where he’s pointing.

“When you’re ready, come out; Torben will bring you to me.” His footsteps are firm as he walks away, leaving me more confused than ever.

CHAPTER 8

Steffen

She’s in my house.

I thought I’d feel calmer. Instead, I feel this mounting dread.

Everything is about to collapse—it has to before I can rebuild it.

My enemies are closing in; they are coming for Rylan just as I planned. She’s my bait, but I want to bite down on the hook and swallow her. Claim her.

Torben follows me as I stride down the hall. “This isn’t love, Steffen,” he shouts.

I whirl around. “Then what is it?” I pound my fist into my chest. “Tell me, brother. Tell me why every time I look at her my chest aches! My hands itch with the need to hold her, but most of all my mind!” I roar as I jab my finger into my temple. “It begs my body to do whatever I must to keep her safe.”

“Safe?” Torben questions. “Or glued to your side?”

“Fuck you!” I hiss, as I turn.

“I’m trying to help you,” he argues, as he tries to chase my heels.

“Then shut up and watch her.”

“Once revenge is yours, then what? Alister will never let you keep her. You took her to trade her. To give her away.”

I did.

I walk faster, ignoring him. He’s right. One battle will spill into a war. She’s my Helen of Troy, and I refuse to let her go.

It’s time to renegotiate the terms of our future peace treaty.