Page 65 of Tower

“Let me see.” He cupped her chin and pushed it up, examining her throat.

“I’m fine, Peter. You wouldn’t hurt me.” She wrapped her hand around his wrist.

His gaze fluttered to hers. “No, I wouldn’t. But I want to make sure you aren’t bruised. Your skin is too fucking fair.” Seeming satisfied he hadn’t marked her, he pulled up his pants, zipping and buttoning, but leaving the belt hanging open at his waist. His untucked shirt gave him a disheveled look she wasn’t used to seeing on him.

“You did ruin the dress, though.” She toyed with the frayed edges of the bodice.

He cast her a quick glance. “We’ll stay here tonight.” He snagged the glass of wine from the counter and downed it in two gulps. After pressing a quick kiss to her lips, he headed out of the kitchen.

She held the dress together in her fist, staring at the empty room.

Had she done something wrong?

Chapter 20

Peter pulled his car through the gates toward the garage. He wouldn’t be leaving the estate until Azalea’s mother had been dealt with.

Azalea sat beside him, hands locked between her knees. Thankfully, he’d had some clothing sent over to his penthouse, otherwise she’d be wearing that torn dress.

After telling her about his mother, how his parents became a couple, he’d felt splayed open. On display. And she’d been perfect.

She’d touched him, softly drew him back to the present. When she’d sunk to her knees before him and pulled out his cock, something clicked into place. She was exactly where she wanted to be, and right where he needed her.

With a simple touch, she could soothe him. It hadn’t taken much more than that to draw out the darkness from within him. The need to devour and conquer. And he’d done both.

He had checked her for bruising on her neck again before leaving the penthouse. None. He’d been careful, but she was so fucking fair, so gentle—he had needed to be sure.

His promise to let her decide, to let her walk right out of his life if she chose to, kept screeching through his mind. Reminding him what a fool’s promise it had been.

Never had he gone back on a promise. But how the fuck would he honor this one?

Azalea opened her door and got out the moment he pushed the gear into park. He hadn’t spoken much to her that morning, mostly because he didn’t trust what he’d say. She’d touched a nerve, had soothed it, and now he didn’t know how to act. He didn’t deserve to possess such purity, such innocence, yet there she was, waiting for him to claim her.

He joined her at the garage door, linking his fingers with hers. She paused for a beat then relaxed in his grip.

With a nod, he opened the door and waved her inside.

“Peter! Fuck. Thank god, you’re back!” Daniel ran down the hall toward them.

“What’s wrong?” Peter asked, pulling Azalea along behind him.

“Bellatrix is in Ash’s office,” Daniel said, a little out of breath either from panic or the job.

“My mother? She’s here?” Azalea pitched forward.

“Yes.”

“Okay. That’s fine.” Peter nodded again, tightening his hold on Azalea. “We’ll be right there. Is she alone?”

Daniel shook his head. “No, that’s just it. She’s not. She has four assholes with her, and two more outside in her car. Didn’t you see it when you drove up?”

Peter had been too preoccupied in his own fucking head to notice. He’d driven straight to the garage and not paid any attention to the front of the house.

“Peter, maybe I should talk with her alone?” Azalea’s soft voice penetrated the tension in the hall.

“No. Absolutely not.” Peter pointed at Daniel. “Did you get the information I wanted?”

Daniel looked at Azalea then back to Peter. “Yeah. You were right. Around the same time.”

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