Page 53 of Moon Blind Hearts
Standing my ground, I glare up at him. “What? You’ll marry me off? Good! Then at least I’ll escape the likes of you!”
He smirks. “You forget who chooses the husband, dearest daughter.” He grabs my face roughly. It’s not enough to bruise. He would never dare bruise my face when the reporters could see. “Keep up this rebellious attitude, and I’ll make sure you’re married to the cruelest man possible when it’s time.” He releases me with a shove that makes me stumble back. “Plenty of the richest men are cruel.”
My eyes narrow. “You wouldn’t dare. I’ll talk to the press.”
He straightens. “Go ahead, Daughter. Let’s see what happens when you do.”
The warning is loud and clear. I’ll become a prisoner in my own home. He’ll make sure of it. Nothing hurts his campaign. Not his family. Not his enemies. People have a knack for disappearing when they try to.
His cold eyes meet mine, his face twisted with hatred. “Remember, Juliet,” he says, leaning closer, “Daddy misses you.”
I jerk up in a panic, my chest tight with fear as the words echo in my mind. Except, when I open my eyes, I’m not in my father’s office. I’m a room I don’t recognize.
“It’s okay,” a warm voice calms me just before large arms wrap around me from behind. “Hey, hey. It’s Oak. I’m here. It’s okay. It was just a nightmare.”
“Genie—”
“Is with Bonnie and okay,” he reassures me. “I made sure of it.”
I press a hand to my chest, fear flickering there. He’s going to find me if I stay. I just know it. I have to leave when the three weeks is up.
“It’s okay. Whatever it is, it was just a nightmare. It’s not real,” Oak continues, smoothing his hand down my back.
“You don’t know me,” I gasp. “You don’t know what’s real.”
“I know you plenty,” Oak argues.
“You know what I want you to know,” I fire back, looking at him over my shoulder with wild eyes.
Whatever he sees in my mine makes him pause and study me. “I know that you’re kind and a good mom. I know that you’re a smart businesswoman and a fighter when it comes to survival. I know that you hold secrets in your heart and that it’s something big. I know enough to know what I like. And it’s you.”
The way he’s looking at me, I can’t do this. I can’t take this risk.
“You have no idea what kind of trouble I could bring, Oak. Don’t go getting all protective of me. I’ll only hurt you,” I warn him. It’s the least I can do. These men don’t deserve anything that comes with my life. They don’t deserve to risk everything for a single mom on the run.
He smirks at my words. “Maybe I like trouble.”
I snort. “Maybe you’re insane.”
“Maybe I am,” he nods. “But only for you.”
When he nuzzles my shoulder, it takes everything in me not to sink into his touch.
“You know,” he says, “I think you showing up here kind of has us all moon blind.”
I pause. “What do you mean?”
“You’re so bright, it’s blinding. We can’t look away, and in the end, it’s gonna make it so you’re permanently burned into our retinas, until you’re the only thing we see.” He presses a kiss against my shoulder. “I’m okay with that.”
My body tightens in fear. “You’re getting in too deep, Oak.”
“Yes,” he agrees, but he doesn’t stop his attentions. Instead, he pulls me back into the bed, and shows me just how much he enjoys me.
And I let him.
Oh god, I let him.
Chapter 30
