“Your sister gave you something.” I look up, tugging the string. The flash of fear in those big eyes sears my heart. “She didn’t see anything, Princess. I made sure of it.”
Licking her lips, she deflates against the pillows. Having anyone see her vulnerable—see her scars—would kill her. Keeping her covered has always been important.
She watches, remaining still. She remembers this part too, letting me mend her so I know she’s whole again.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” I murmur, adjusting to move closer. “I’m ready to snap your neck for that fucking stunt.”
She scoffs, looking away. “You’re mad atmefor someone else shooting me?”
“Yes.” I tug on the skin, and her lips twist. The feeling is coming back. I shouldn’t take such pleasure in causing her harm, but I do. “I told you to stay down.”
Lazily, she turns her head, meeting my gaze. “And what was I to do, Linwood? Sit like a good little princess and let you get shot? I think we both know that’s not me.”
No, it’s not. She pointedly looks at my shoulder and the wound I’ve yet to take care of. I’ve been too focused on her; the pain doesn’t bother me.
“You’re supposed tolive,” I stress. “The whole fucking point of this is to keep youalive.”
And mine.
Maeve taps her chest. “Still beating. Still alive. Guess you’ve done your self-imposed duty.”
Growling, I grip her chin and yank her forward. I’m a bit too rough—her wound is freshly mended, and she’s fragile. But I don’t fucking care because I need her to understand.
“You stubborn pain in the ass?—”
“And you’re a fucking stalker who doesn’t take no for an answer?—”
“‘Nofor an answer’?” I smile cruelly. “Were you sayingnowhen my cock split you in half a few days ago?”
She cracks her jaw, snapping her lips shut.
“I’m not going anywhere. And you can’t fucking stand knowing I’ll still be here—thatI see you.”
I expect the hit—but not a slap. My girl is more than likely to use her fist or a knife—but I’ll cut her a break. She’d recently been shot; she’s not thinking clearly.
“You have an angle,” she seethes. “A plan. Atrick. Something. You say you want me back—that I belong to you—but you’re playing at something and I can’t figure it out.”
Licking my lips, I lean forward, reaching above her head. My fists grind the headboard—better it than her neck.
“The only plan I have is to keep you breathing,” I mutter. “I cannot live if you don’t. If you go, I willdie. Because without you, I amnothing. I will fucking cease to exist. So maybe it is selfish to want to keep you alive. Maybe I’m fighting Death, and the odds are against me. I’m certainly fighting you, and that goddamn death wish you’ve had since I’ve met you. I don’t fucking care. Because I will not let you die—I willnotlose you again.”
“You are the holder of my heart, Maeve.” Swallowing, I glare at her lips, twisted love and rage curling like a hissing snake in my chest. “In your hands, you hold everything I am. You belong to me, and I’m not letting anything happen to you.”
Pushing back, I return to her wound, ignoring her gaping mouth. Piercing her skin again, she gasps, wincing with the needle. Ah, the medication has faded. Maybe with the bite of pain, she’ll finally focus. It’s certainly soothing me.
“By the way,” I add, muscle bunching by my ear. “Fucking great matching panty set. I’m sureReesewould’ve loved it for an afternoon fuck.”
She grips the duvet closer to her chest, banging her head into the headboard. Sweat dots her brow, teeth gritted against the pain. Every stab brings more suffering, and she exhales, drinking it down for stability.
“I can’t do this with you.”
“No, by all means. Let’s ignore how I had you screaming and coming on my dick and three days later, you run right back to him.” The thread pulls taut. “If not for the assassination attempt ruining your chances, maybe you would’ve gotten lucky.”
The jealousy tastes like sludge, and I gulp it down. If only to feel something other than this fucking rage—this yearning to love a woman all night long and the bitterness to fucking stab her.
Her eyelashes flutter as I make one more stitch. Those emeralds—uncut and dangerous—glare at me as I use my teeth to cut the string.
