Page 85 of Her Faithful Protector

As I blink away the haze, my surroundings come into focus. I find myself in a room filled with sleek glass cupboards, their surfaces gleaming under the sterile lights. The atmosphere is both high-tech and clinical, giving the impression of a futuristic experiment lab. I told Morgan the terrifying moment I was aware of being taken to a hospital for the firsttime in my life. This almost feels like it, only I’m in the company of Dr. Willem and his bearded nurse.

“I’ve never had the opportunity to bring you here,” Willem says, his hands gesturing to showcase the room.

My senses sharpen, allowing me to take in more details. The glass cases that line the room hold an array of machines, some fully assembled while others reveal exposed wires and half-finished equipment. It’s clear that this place is a work in progress, but it doesn’t stop me from wondering what Willem is planning to do to me.

Nervously, I search for any means of escape. My heart quickens as I realize there doesn’t seem to be a door anywhere. Perhaps that’s why Willem has allowed me to sit in the chair without any restraints.

I clear my throat and mockingly say, “Why don’t you take me on a tour?” The drug still has me feeling sluggish. I don’t know how I’ll do it if he offers.

Willem laughs in response. “I won’t, but I still welcome you to my prototyping lab—The Atrium. And I can assure you, you won’t be comfortable here.”

“You were never a good host. I used to be the one holding your parties together. Why would I expect any different here?”

He takes his time, gently caressing my left fingers. “Where’s your ring?”

“It’s gone. We’re over,” I reply.

“Oh, we’re not!” His lips curl into a smile. He separates my ring finger from the others and signals the bearded man to approach. The man comes forward, holding a knife like a butcher.

“No! Get away from me!” I try to escape, relying on my days at the gym, but my muscles feel like jelly.

Willem pushes me back into the chair while the bearded man holds my arm steady, positioning the knife at the base ofmy ring finger. I close my eyes, bracing myself for the sound of my bone crunching under the blade. But instead, all I hear is laughter.

“I still want you pretty and whole for our wedding,” Willem says. “That’s how much I believe in us. You don’t just throw away a relationship like you did. You’re wonderful, Ava, but you need to understand loyalty.”

“You threw away that relationship the moment you laid a hand on me after begging for me to take you back.”

Willem gently lifts my chin, tilting it upwards. “Well, darling, I meant what I said to you on the phone. I’ve forgiven you. Now, whether you like it or not, you, me, and Quinton will be a family again.”

“I’m not yours, Willem, and neither is Quinton,” I retort.

“It’s hard for me to admit, but you did fool me,” he confesses. “I had known about your connection with Red Mark all along because of your bitch friend, Morgan. But Jack?” He repeatedly clucks his tongue and then adds, “I didn’t know you had an affair with him until he showed up in Townsend.”

“I never had an affair. I left you first.”

“Whatever, Saint Ava,” he deadpans. “And it wasn’t just you that opened my eyes to the reality. That stupid Marine,” he sighs deeply, “he surprised me too.”

A contented smile spreads across my face. In his world, he couldn’t fathom that the true qualities of a good man do not encompass power and selfishness. Despite a challenging upbringing, I believe he had ample opportunities to learn about humility, trust, and kindness—but he never tried.

“You know, darling. Lifelong bachelors like Jack don’t usually settle with women like you. I mean, women who are burdened with another man’s children.”

Burdened?

Quinton is a blessing!

Laughing, Willem continues, “So you got lucky. He’s not the kind of alpha who—you know, like a lion who eats his rival’s offspring. So I must give it to him. He defied my expectations.”

I raise my eyes to him with a flicker of defiance.

He remains calm and continues to speak his wisdom. “Acknowledging a mistake is an accomplishment of a great man. Therefore, I must acknowledge it—I was mistaken,” he says. “But what truly distinguishes a remarkable man is his ability to correct his errors. And that is precisely what I am going to do. Starting now.”

“What do you want, Willem?”

“Fuck family! It’s nothing but a letdown,” he carps. “I will not give you a choice. Here is what you must do: call Jack and tell him to bring Quinton to me. In return, I will set you free and give him what is stored in that computer over there. The solution to his life’s mystery.”

“You’d already tested him, and you failed!” I sneer.

“Let’s see if he can maintain his righteousness when faced with such temptations.”

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