Page 228 of A Vicious Love

“Tomorrow,” he said, “we sleep in.”

“What?”

“Tomorrow morning. No Bellemere breakfast at dawn. We sleep in.”

Tomorrow sounded like something men said when they needed to make leaving feel kinder.

I forced a smile. “That sounds nice.”

His eyes narrowed. “You don’t believe me.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

I hugged the pillow tighter. “Will you come back after the hunt?” I continued because if I stopped now, I would sound more afraid than I wanted. “Or are you leaving once business is sorted? Because if you are, I understand. You probably have things in Harlan, and this retreat is…” I looked toward the window, toward the blurred trees beyond the glass. “A lot.”

His face changed as I spoke.

“You think I’m leaving.”

“I think you came for business with Father.”

“I said I came for you.”

“You also said you have business.”

“I can do both.”

“Yes, but once the business is done⁠—”

“Sienna.”

I stopped.

He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, attention fixed entirely on me. It was overwhelming, being looked at by him like that. For years, I had wanted him to look at me. Now that he did, I had no idea where to put myself.

“I’m coming back after the hunt,” he said. “I’m taking you to estate breakfast. I’m attending whatever ghastly thing your family has planned after breakfast. Then I’m coming back here with you. Tonight I’m sleeping in this bed. Tomorrow we are sleeping in.”

My throat tightened.

I looked at the line of his jacket, at the hidden holster.

“Please don’t hurt my family,” I whispered. “I know they’re difficult. But they’re still my family.”

Jamison stared at me.

For one second, I worried I had offended him. Or worse, challenged him in a way that made the promise impossible.

Then he reached for my hand.

Slowly.

Giving me time to pull back.

I didn’t.

His fingers closed around mine.