Page 27

Those bastards are going to pay dearly for putting my girl in harm’s way. Viktor already called to confirm they caught two of the shooters alive. Good. I’m going to make those fuckers regret the day their mothers pushed them into this world.

I reach out and cup Rosie’s face with one hand, my thumb brushing over the velvet-soft skin of her cheek. She’s really here. The relief that floods through me is almost violent.

“What do you mean you’re not letting me go?” she asks, voice small but steady.

I lower my hand slowly, but I don’t step back.

“You can’t leave. It’s not safe out there.”

She opens her mouth to argue, fire flashing in her eyes, but I cut her off.

“I know they came for me, not you. But they saw me protect you. They saw you with me. They’ve already figured out you’re important to me.” I hold her gaze so she understands every word. “They will come after you by association.”

I watch the exact moment realization hits her. Fear blooms in her eyes, wide and raw. I hate it. I wish she never had to be introduced to my world like this.

She takes a shaky step back. “You’re joking, right?”

“Does it look like I’m joking?”

“No,” she breathes, panic rising. “I have to leave. There’s no way I’m in danger. No one saw us together, there was too much chaos.”

“No,” I say flatly. “It’s too risky. I’m not letting you walk out there unprotected.”

“So what?” Her voice cracks. “You’re just going to lock me up? Keep me here and not let me leave?”

I don’t answer right away. Because the truth is, the thought has already crossed my mind. Lock her in this house where I know she’s safe. Keep her under my roof. The idea is tempting. Too tempting.

I step closer until there’s almost no space left between us. Slowly, I lift my hand and brush my knuckles gently along her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin.

My fingers slide back, curling around the nape of her neck, holding her in place without force.

“I’ve been searching everywhere for you for the past four years,” I murmur, voice low. “And now that you’ve walked back into my life, I’m not going to let any harm come to you.”

She stares up at me, eyes wide and uncertain. “I don’t understand. I still don’t get why you were looking for me.”

A smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth. “At first, I didn’t understand it myself.”

I lean in just a fraction more, letting my breath brush her skin.

“Because you’re mine, Rosie.”

She swallows hard, throat working visibly. “No… I’m not.”

“Oh, you are.” My thumb strokes the side of her neck. “You became mine the moment you let me kiss you four years ago. The moment you opened those pretty legs for me and let me fuck you until you couldn’t remember your own name.”

She swallows again, cheeks flushing. “I could be in a relationship now. I could even be married.”

I shrug, completely unbothered. “Not a problem that can’t be solved. You leave whoever you’re with.”

Her eyes flash with disbelief. “And if I don’t?”

“Then you’ll have their death on your conscience.”

She gasps, genuine shock crossing her face. “You wouldn’t.”

I bring my lips to her ear, voice dropping to a dark whisper. “You wouldn’t want to find out. So whatever guy you’re with right now… I suggest you text him tonight and tell him it’s over. The rightful owner is back.”

“I don’t belong to you,” she breathes, but her voice wavers.