“Victoria?”
When she returns her attention to me, there’s no fear in her eyes and not once does she look down at my erection.
Which tells me, nude or not, she knows she’s safe here.
She knows I will protect her.
Even from myself.
“Talk,” I repeat.
“What?”
“You wanted a favor and I wanted a shower. Now, I’m clean. So, talk,zaya.” This, I say gently.
As fierce as her mask is, I sense she’s overwhelmed until she manages to curb it.
Her gaze remains locked on my face as I towel off.
A glance at her feet shows me how she’s maintaining the rictus of her features—her toes are curled up like claws as she struggles to contain herself.
That she feels the need to, that there isn’t a whisper of the coquette or a hint of flirtation in her being, has me wondering if she could still be a virgin.
I did what I could to keep her safe from the red-pill-sucking swine her age, but as much as my guards inveigled their way into her life, not even I could stop horny teenagers from doing what horny teenagers do.
Then, there’s the fact she’s rooming with a guy in college.
Family, but not by blood.
Weirder shit happens every day.
Pulling on a pair of boxer briefs seems to act as a catalyst:
“Do you know what the Veronians are?”
Pausing en route to the vanity, I grimace. “Unfortunately.” When she decided upon Oakwood College, my men investigated the university. Thoroughly. “The old boys’ club at your school. What’s the frat called? The Roses or something moronic like that?”
“The frat is a front,” she confirms. “But it’s not just theRhoswho can join.”
I retrieve a razor from the cabinet. “Since when?”
“Since they entered the twentieth century and figured out women can be assets too.”
Ah. Power. She seeks power.
Fascinating.
“You want to join?”
She dips her chin.
“Why?” When I think of all the many and varied ways in which I work to protect her… I pinch the bridge of my nose. “In fact, don’t answer that.” Knowing will just increase my blood pressure.
“Maxim, will you help me?”
My hand hesitates for a heartbeat over the shaving foam. That she approached me and not her family is clue enough that she knows this is a bad idea.
But,blyad,she came to me.
