Page 116 of The Devil's Pawn

He’s still laughing when I hang up.

The house is comfortable enough, although too modern for my tastes. I quickly freshen up, change into something more suited to a Californian summer, then return to the car. It’s another thirty minutes before my driver pulls into Imogen’s driveway. The security Donovan set up are stationed prominently around the house, offering me a shred of comfort. After what happened with Edgerton, I’m not taking any chances.

I exit the vehicle without waiting for my driver to let meout and smooth a hand down the front of my shirt. Scott appears on the porch before I get a chance to knock on the door.

“Scott.” I nod curtly. “I’m here to see Imogen.”

Without hesitation, he stands back, inviting me in. “We were hoping you’d come. She’s miserable.”

That news makes it hard to keep the smile off my face, but I manage it. “Did she tell you why she’s here?” His answer will guide my approach.

“No. Only that you two had a disagreement, and she decided to come home for a few days.”

I hold back from pointing out that a week is more than a few days, but Imogen keeping the details of our fight private gives me hope.

“I want to see her. Where’s her room?”

Scott shows no annoyance at me asking for directions rather than permission. He points toward the staircase on the left-hand side of the entranceway. There’s an identical one on the right-hand side. “Her room is at the top of the stairs. Second on the right.”

I rap once on her door and enter without waiting for her to grant me access. She’s sitting at a dressing table, and her startled gaze meets mine in the mirror.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for you, Little Pawn.” I cross over to her, brushing her hair over one shoulder. Trailing a finger over the back of her neck, I lean down and kiss her there. She shivers, and it’s the only sign I need to convince myself that all is not lost.

“I told you we were over.”

“No. You told me you needed space. I’ve given you space.”

“You’ve given me a week.”

“It’s more than I would have given anyone else. A lot more.”

Her shoulders lift and fall with the deep breath she takes before she stands to face me. “Do you admit you were in the wrong?”

“I admit I went about things the wrong way, although the circumstances at the time led me to believe I had no other choice available.”

“So, you still think injecting some kind of motherboard into my arm was the right thing to do?”

“Yes.” That tiny piece of technology saved her and subsequently, saved me. I wouldn’t survive losing someone else I loved as deeply as I love Imogen. As deeply as I loved Annabel. If she leaves me because I won’t have children, that’s something I will accept—a reason to let her go. But if she’d been taken from me…

I can’t even bear to think about it.

“Alexander.” She shakes her head.

“I will admit, though, that when I told you about Annabel, I should have also shared my thoughts about children and told you about the birth control. That was wrong. To force that on you was so very wrong. I did it because I wanted you so fucking much, but that doesn’t make it right.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“Please, Imogen.” I take her hands in mine and bring them close to me. “Tell me there’s a way through this for us.”

“Take out the tracker.”

“Hard limit.”

“Why?”

“Because it keeps you safe. It’s already proven its worth with Edgerton. Next time, you may not be so lucky.” I kissher hands. “My world is dangerous. My family has many enemies.”

---