Page 127 of Ruthless Oath

“I did.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because he failed me,” I said. “He defied me to help you, and in doing so, he put you in danger. He had to answer for that.”

“I never meant to cause you this much trouble.”

“You keep saying that.” I gazed out the window at the bustling city below us.

We may have been high up and away from any potential threats for now, but there was no way I could be so arrogant to think I could protect her from the bullets that were going to fly between our families.

“I don’t want to make things difficult for you,” she said.

“But then you do something that proves otherwise.”

“You keep saying you want to protect me. Can’t I do the same for you?”

“No!” I threw my hands in the air. “Why is this so difficult for you to understand?”

“Why can’t you understand how I feel about you?”

I didn’t have time for feelings. Those kinds of emotions could get me killed.

“This is your new home for the time being.” I motioned around the penthouse, trying to avoid the hurt on her face when I didn’t acknowledge what she tried to tell me. If she said words I wasn’t ready to hear, and I reacted in a way that would tear her heart out, she wouldn’t stay with me. I couldn’t afford for that to happen. “You have to stay here and do what I say if you expect me to keep you safe.”

“We’ve been here and done this.”

“No, it’s different this time.” I gazed into her eyes. “If you can’t do what I say, I’ll send you back to your father, this war will be over, and your fate will be sealed.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but one stern glare from me stopped her.

“You can take your chances with the arms dealer.” I pushed a strand of her hair away from her eyes with my finger. “I’m not playing these deadly games with you anymore.”

I didn’t want to make these threats, but I had a job to do, and I couldn’t go running after her every time she decided she needed to help me.

“So, what, I’m your prisoner again?”

“No, you’re free to leave.” I nodded across the room. “There’s the door.”

“And what? Get killed?” Her eyes widened. “You would let them do that to me?”

“I think we both know what they have planned for you is worse than death. I’ll protect you, Lissia, but staying comes at a cost.”

“What cost?”

“Your pride. As long as you stay here, you will obey me,” I replied.

“Or what?”

“I told you, I’ll send you back.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.” I glared at her. “I’m not in the mood.”

“You wouldn’t.” She spoke quieter this time, shaking her head. My threats were sinking in.

“You’re a loose cannon, and your wild, unpredictable actions could get us both killed. I will go to the ends of the earth to protect you, but not if you willingly throw us all in harm’s way because you refuse to listen.”

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