Page 12 of Galen

He was close now, so close she could feel the heat radiating off his body, smell the faint scent of his cologne. His hand was still in her hair, his fingers playing with the strands, sending shivers down her spine.

It would be so easy to give in, to let him pull her into his world, to see where this strange, dangerous attraction might lead.

But could she really do it? Could she really marry a man like Galen Arrow, a man who had kidnapped her and her father, a man who was capable of unspeakable things?

“I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“You can,” he said, his voice firm, reassuring. “You’re stronger than you think, Bianca. And I’ll be right here with you, every step of the way.”

His words wrapped around her like a warm blanket, soothing the fear that gripped her heart. And as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that surprised her—vulnerability, a hint of uncertainty that made him seem almost … human.

Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Galen Arrow than she had thought. And maybe she was willing to find out.

Chapter Six

Galen could feel the tension in the air, and he could sense Bianca’s uncertainty. She was so close to agreeing, so close to surrendering to his twisted deal.

He nearly had her in his grasp, and the thought sent a thrill of satisfaction coursing through him. But he knew better than to celebrate too early. Bianca was not a woman who could be easily conquered. She needed convincing, and he was more than willing to oblige.

“I’ll allow Mario to live,” Galen began, his tone measured and deliberate,“but he’ll need to leave this city. He has to go somewhere far away, where no one knows him.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. He didn’t need to tell her this decision was made without consulting Carver or Devlin. It was his call, and his alone.

Bianca bit her lower lip, a nervous gesture that did not escape Galen’s notice. She trembled slightly, her vulnerability on full display.

Galen took a step closer, his voice softening as he added,“It’s more than he deserves after betraying us.” His eyes locked onto hers, searching for a crack in her resolve.“He might’ve been an absent parent to you, but he was … something of a mentor to me.”

“A mentor?” Bianca’s curiosity flared, andGalen could see the wheels turning in her mind.

He nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving hers.“If you think I’m a monster, then you should know my father was much worse. When he died, I was elated that we were no longer under his control, but I also felt lost. That’s when Mario stepped in.”

His hand moved to his side, and he drew his gun, watching as Bianca tensed. But he made no sudden movements, merely showing her the weapon.

“He gave me my first gun,” Galen told her.

Bianca’s eyes flickered with something—a mix of fear and intrigue, perhaps. Tentatively, she reached out, her fingers brushing against the cold metal. Galen could tell she had no real experience with firearms.

It was clear she didn’t have any ties to her father’s world. If she had, Mario would’ve taught her how to shoot, how to defend herself. The gun was empty, but Galen wondered if she would try to use it against him. Instead, she simply handed it back to him, her gaze steady but uncertain.

“So …Mario was like a father to you? You trusted him, and he betrayed your trust?” Her voice was soft, almost gentle, as if she were trying to understand him, trying to piece together the puzzle of his life.

“Something like that,” Galen replied, not wanting to delve too deeply into the pain of his past.

He tucked the gun away, grateful that Bianca didn’t press him for more. A silence settled between them, heavy with unspoken questions.

Finally, Bianca broke it, her voice tinged with apprehension.“So what’s going to happen now? Assuming I agree to a night with you, and seeing wherethat goes?”

Galen allowed himself a small smile.“You don’t need to return to the cell,” he told her.“You’ll stay here. Don’t worry, you’ll be safe in my apartment. Benny will be right outside, guarding the door if anything happens.”

“Preventing me from escaping, you mean?” she asked, her tone sharp, though there was no real malice in her words.

Galen shrugged, not bothering to deny it.“I need to make some arrangements, but I’ll return to you tonight. We’ll have dinner,” Galen said. Bianca wasn’t stupid. She knew the implications of his words.

“I see,” she murmured, her eyes narrowing slightly.“And …Mario?”

“I’ll update you about the situation.” As if on cue, Galen’s phone beeped, interrupting the moment.

He glanced at the screen and saw a slew of messages from Carver. Shit. Devlin had found out, of course. Galen knew it was only a matter of time. But Carver wouldn’t rat him out.

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