Page 67 of The Warrior
Magni’s face was growing redder by the second. “Are you telling me that you went in there completely unarmed?”
“You would’ve done the same thing.”
“That’s different.”
“I did the job. Why can’t you just be proud of me?”
Magni let out a sigh of frustration. “And you think Devlin is just going to go with you like that?”
“He’s nothing like you described. He told me that they love each other.”
Magni snorted. “He’s a horny Nman. Of course he would say that.”
That comment pissed me off. “You weren’t there, and from my experience sayingI love youdoesn’t come easy to Nmen.”
Magni ignored my comment. “As soon as the others arrive, leave the fucker to them and come back here. Do you hear me, Laura?”
Rationally, I knew Magni had been worried about me and that he wanted me back where he could keep me safe. But the way he ordered me around in his usual bossy manner triggered my need for him to treat me as an equal.
“I think I may visit some of my friends while I’m here.”
“Laura.” He spoke my name as a warning. “I want you home,now!”
“Why? Are you horny?” I tilted my head. “No, I guess not, since if that was the case you would have no problem telling me that you loved me, right?”
A deep groan escaped Magni. “Laura.”
My hands were shaking and my throat hurt from suppressing my scream of frustration. Why was love so effortless for others when it was so difficult and complicated for Magni and me?
“You’re coming homeright now.”
“No. I warned you not to boss me around. I’ll come back whenI’mready.”
Magni was biting down on his fist with his cheeks bloated from the scream he held back.
“I just proved to you that I can take care of myself. I’m done waiting for you to treat me like an equal. I’m a warrior like you.”
Magni’s snort was the last straw that made me lose my temper and hiss, “You know what, I’ve had it with you. You treat me like a helpless child, and I’m sick of it.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean? I didn’t treat you like a child a few hours ago when I fucked you, did I?
“No, but I can’t be with you just because the sex is amazing. At least here in the Motherlands, people respect and appreciate me.” I spoke fast and with an accusatory tone. “If you can’t give that to me, I’d rather stay here.”
Magni was furious and hissed, “You’re coming back here, right now. That’s a fucking order.”
My voice grew shrill. “No, I’m not! And you don’t get to order me around anymore. I’ve tried to reason with you, but you won’t listen.”
“You’renotstaying in the Motherlands,” he shouted.
“Yes, I am.” I had chased down Devlin and the other men and deserved Magni’s respect. His dismissal of what I’d done was offensive and infuriating.
“If you stay, don’t bother coming back. I’m not joking, Laura, I’m done with this shit. Make a choice. Me or the Motherlands.”
My anger clouded my brain and I didn’t even hesitate. “Goodbye, Magni.”
“Laura,” he called out, but with my body trembling from hurt, and my mind clouded with disappointment, I disconnected the call.
CHAPTER 18
