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“Ever kill a man?”
“No.”
“What about hand-to-hand combat? Self-defense?”
“No,” I mumble sheepishly. “I always had guards for that.”
“My dear, I’m always in search of good soldiers, but I can’t in good conscience let you go out there when you’re untrained.”
“Then train me,” I insist. “Please, Abuela. I’ll do what I have to, but I want to be the one to make my father pay for what he’s done.”
Zane clears his throat, quickly approaching me. “I need to talk to you,” he says as he takes my hand and guides me to the other side of the courtyard. “What’s gotten into you?” he asks me in a hushed whisper.
“Don’t give me that look.”
“I got you the hell out of there to keep you safe. Not so you want to go running back into the chaos.”
“What would you have me do, Zane? Stay on the sidelines and do nothing?”
“Preferably, yes.”
I shake my head, adrenaline pumping through my bloodstream. “No. No, I’ve spent my whole life in a tower like goddamn Rapunzel. I’ve never been allowed to make my own choices. This… This is my choice.”
“Your choice is to fight in a cartel war? You’re smarter than this, Willow.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I do,” he says, cupping my face. “I do understand. But my job is to protect you. It always has been. And I can’t very well protect you if you throw yourself in harm’s way.”
“You’re not my bodyguard anymore, Zane!”
My words come out harsher and sharper than I mean them to. He steps back like I’ve struck him across the face. Everything’s different now, even though we don’t want to admit it out loud.
“Willow…”
“Nothing’s keeping you here,” I whisper. “I think it goes without saying that your contract is null and void.”
Zane stares at me, wordless. “I won’t go,” he says sternly. “I’m not leaving you here. I might not be your bodyguard anymore, but I am still your husband.”
“Stay if that’s what you want. But know nothing’s going to stop me from avenging my mother, from taking back what is rightfully mine. I’m tired of that man taking everything from me. Mark my words, Zane, I’m going to kill Arturo with my own two hands. And if you stand in my way…”
I trail off, unable to follow through with my threat. What will I do if Zane tries to stop me? I don’t think I could ever hurt him, but I’m desperate enough to try.
I clutch his arms, tilting my head up to better look him in the eye. “I know you want to keep me safe, so teach me.”
He immediately starts shaking his head. “No.”
“Teach me how to fight, Zane. What better way to protect me than to show me how to protect myself?”
Zane pulls away and walks off, suddenly out of reach.
“Where are you going?” I call after him, my words strained and caught in my throat.
“Back to our room. Find me when you’ve come to your senses.”
He disappears into the hacienda, leaving me stunned and listless in the middle of the courtyard. Behind me, the click click click of sharp stiletto heels against the tiles reaches my ear.
“Why are men so—ugh?” Natalia asks with a roll of the eyes.
