Page 77 of Scarred Heir
“It was dangerous before, but now that we’re together, it’s even more so.”
When I thought about her being with Diego, even if it was in a crowded place, the fury tore through me. She may have put herself in that position, but she wouldn’t have been able to do it if I had been more responsible.
“I just wanted to see you.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry I caused all that trouble out there.”
“Diego caused the trouble.” I faced her. “He would have done that with or without you, but now we have to be very aware of his actions. He wants something from my family that we’re not going to give him. He’s going to come at us any way he can, and now I’m afraid you’re one of those ways.”
“That’s why you didn’t want me to come here.”
“I knew he was lurking around the club, but I thought I had it under control.” I gripped the side of her face. “I should have had a man at the penthouse door.”
“You could have told me why I needed to stay away from the club.”
“Would you have listened?”
“I would have.” Her breath fluttered across my lips. “When I can’t be with you, I go a little crazy.”
“I know the feeling, baby.” Our lips touched, igniting a fire deep inside my soul. “I’m not used to explaining myself.”
“I’m not used to depending on anyone.” She tilted her head as she stared into my eyes. “I didn’t think about the consequences I would cause by leaving the penthouse and coming to you.”
“Being with me can cause plenty of consequences for you.” I brushed my lips along hers. “I need to prepare you better if you’re going to be with me.”
“I am with you,” she said.
“Let’s talk about what you said to Ricardo.” I led her over to the chair, sat down, and then tugged her into my lap. “What did you mean when you said you couldn’t live like this?”
“Your life isn’t an easy one.” She twisted in my lap and straddled my hips. “I don’t want to make a mistake and put us in danger.”
“Don’t talk to strange men.” I shrugged. “Problem solved.”
If I had my way, she wouldn’t be subjected to any of my enemies, but that wasn’t a realistic plan. Sometimes I didn’t always know who the enemy was.
“I’m going to protect you.” I picked a few stray hairs that had fallen in front of her eyes and moved them to the side. “You have to follow my lead.”
“No sneaking out in the middle of the night.”
“Not in the middle of the day either.”
“I want to learn to live in your world.” She threaded the corner of her bottom lip through her teeth. “I just need you to show me the way.”
Pressing my forehead to hers, I fought the stabbing pain inside my chest. The nagging that poked at my soul and urged me to let her walk away before it was too late for either of us.
I dropped my gaze to her mouth and shoved the negativity out of my mind. I wanted her, and I was arrogant enough to believe what I did to protect her would work. I would slit Medina’s throat in front of a street of witnesses before I ever let him hurt her.
Lowering my head, I tangled my fingers through her hair and forced her mouth to mine. She arched her back when our lips connected, surrendering to me with sweet need and forgiving passion. Her innocence could be the death of her if she trusted me. But if she didn’t put her total faith in me, that could ruin her too.
She was stuck. Caught between my vicious world and the need for her freedom to survive. She had no idea what being with me could cost her. If she did, she wouldn’t be here.
I trailed my hand down her side and to her hip, shifting her to create some friction on my growing erection. She squeezed my biceps as she rocked against me. It would be easy to release her from the agony my brutal existence would cause her.
My family teetered on the verge of another war. A battle I had no business dragging her into. But I never took the easy way out, especially not when I wanted something. And I had never desired anyone the way I coveted her, so she would stay with me. I made the choice, and now I would live with the consequences.
“Milo.” She hauled away from my assault on her lips to breathe.
Speaking of battles and wars…
“As much as I’d like to stay here and play with you, I have to protect my brother and his wife, and I have to warn my father.” I caressed her cheek. “I have to work now.”
