Page 65 of Ruthless Bonds

Dove typed on her iPad, a robotic voice speaking a moment later. “Oh, I want in on this too. Sign me up for a lesson.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. Gavriil was going to have his hands full if he wasn’t careful.

“The doctor is expecting you downstairs in five minutes.” I checked my watch, then took a sip of my coffee.

Alora narrowed her eyes, a scowl on her face. I’d known she wasn’t going to be happy when I told her the doctor was going to take out her birth control implant. But there was no room for arguing. The thought of her growing big with my child in her belly had consumed me. The need to make her fully mine burned through my veins like poison. But I wanted her needy, begging for me first. She didn’t know what she wanted, but Iwould show her.

And she would realize soon. I had no doubt about that.

She stuck her tongue out at me, and I arched my eyebrow. She seemed to enjoy being a brat. Which was fine by me, because I would love to give her the discipline she craved. Just not in front of Dove.

“You’ll pay for that later,” I growled. Her eyes widened, but I didn’t miss the way she bit down on her bottom lip. She hurried off down the hall, and I turned my attention to Dove.

“How would you feel about talking to a psychologist?” I crossed my arms over my chest, studying her reaction closely.

She wrinkled her nose, typing on her iPad. “For what?” A robotic voice came across a moment later.

“For this.” My jaw tightened as I gestured at the iPad in her hand, the one that had become her voice. The fact that she couldn’t remember her attack was perhaps a mercy, but the details Gavriil had been able to uncover—they fed a rage that simmered deep inside of me. On the surface, she appeared to be OK, but I knew the horror that she’d faced and survived.

She deserved her vengeance, and I would be happy to help her get it. But first, she needed to find her voice, which had been stolen by fear.

The kitchen was silent except for her fingernails tapping on the marble countertop. She stared up at the ceiling, as if deep in thought. A moment later, she shrugged and nodded yes. “I don’t know if it will help, but I’ll give it a shot.”

“Excellent. I have a specialist coming here in an hour.”

She pursed her lips. “You really are a control freak, you know that?”

“So I’ve been told.”

“Want some advice?” She stood up and came closer to me, looking over her shoulder.

“I would say no, but I don’t think that would stop you.”

She nodded, her fingers flying furiously over the screen. “I don’t think you’re really the monster you claim to be.”

I chuckled darkly, leaning against the counter. “I just had my cousin’s hand removed for touching Alora. I can assure you, I have earned my reputation.”

She arched her brow, then shook her head like she’d just realized exactly how crazy I was. But she went on.

“Alora’s convinced she’s cursed. Death follows her like a shadow. First Jameson, then their mom, then Butterball. Also, Miss J across the hall who was like a grandma to her.”

“Butterball?”

“Her goldfish. She took care of him for seven years. Do you know how hard it is to keep a goldfish alive that long?”

I didn’t, but I waved my hand for her to continue.

“Anyway, everyone she’s ever cared about has been ripped away. I was almost taken from her, too. And now here you are, asking her to love you while you’re living with a target on your back. Every time you leave her could be the last time you see her.”

Her words struck something deep inside of me I didn’t care to admit out loud. “I have no intention of dying any time soon, Dove. What’s your point?”

“You can’t force someone to love you by imprisoning them. It’s a beautiful prison, don’t get me wrong. But it’s still a prison. And you can’t expect her to open her heart when she’s scared she could lose you.”

I remained silent, taking in her words. A part of me was suspicious. Had Alora put her up to this as part of her scheme to escape? Anger built in my chest at the thought.

“Simmer down, cowboy. I see those wheels spinning. You need to prove that your love is worth the risk. That you’re not just another name on her list of losses. Show her that she can trust you.”

“Why are you trying to help me?” If Dove had a motive behind this, I would find out.

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