“What if?—”
He tilts my chin up until my eyes lock onto his. I close my mouth. "You’re mine now. Do you understand me?"
This should terrify me.
Okay, it does.
And yet, a dangerous, reckless part of me exhales at the weight he just took off my shoulders.
Still, I shake my head and give him a curious look. "That’s not exactly how this works."
"It is now."
He’s so certain.
I stare at him, at all that ink and those stormy, brooding eyes. I can’t decide if I want to slap him or kiss him.
My fingers curl into the sheets. "And what if they don’t accept me?" I feel like a child on her first day at a new school.
"They’ll have to," he says, letting out a dark, quiet laugh.
"And if theydon’t?" I press, my voice sharper now. Wobbling. I hate that it wobbles.
His jaw ticks. "I thought I made that clear. Then they answer tome."
I know exactly what it means to answer to him. It’s a damn good threat.
Dangerous warmth creeps across my skin. I hate that it makes me feel so safe. I swallow hard, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I’m still a little scared."
What it takes for me to admit that… I’ve never told anybody I’m afraid. Ever.
He exhales sharply, then cups the back of my neck, dragging me forward until our foreheads touch.
I close my eyes. It feels so fucking right, and that terrifies me.
"Good." His voice is quieter now, rougher. "That means you still have something to lose."
I’m lost. He’s caught me.
"If it makes you feel any better, a part of me feels like an outcast too. My brother was once one of us."
"Once?" I ask. "What happened?"
Matvei’s eyes darken to storm clouds, more gray than blue. His brow furrows, and he runs his thumb along my cheek like it soothes him. Like I’m his little good-luck charm. His fidget toy.
"He betrayed us. Suffered the ultimate punishment."
"I’m sorry."
“I’m not. It had to happen.” He looks away. “My parents will never forgive me.I’llnever forgive myself."
So his brother betrayed them. And Matvei was the one who acted as the enforcer. Served the punishment.
That’s fucking brutal. My heart aches.
I whisper, "That’s why your parents hate you."
