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"Much better."
"Wh-what are you doing?" She splutters.
"Making sure you look decent for the cameras."
"I was decent already—"
"Not."
"I was—"
"Not."
"Cade!"
"Abby." I lower my voice to a hush, and she shivers.
"You are going to wear my jacket when we go out there."
"I can’t."
"Why not."
"Because you’ve buttoned it over my arms, you asshole."
"I’ll be your arms."
She blinks. "That was either the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me, or the most romantic thing someone has ever done for me."
"Was it?"
She blows out a breath. "Seriously, you don’t have to get all upset because your words sounded romantic. I know you didn’t mean it."
"I didn’t?"
"Nope. I know how scared you are when it comes to any kind of serious relationship."
Except when it’s with you. Nope, n-a-h, I didn’t just think that.Besides, when she finds out just how I’ve manipulated things so she has no choice but to agree to this fake engagement, she’ll likely hate me forever. I wince, then straighten my shoulders. "What were you so upset about when you flounced in?"
"I know you’re having me followed."
"It’s the only way to keep you safe."Especially since I haven’t yet managed to track down the bastard who broke into your apartment.I have both Axel Sovrano and Karina Beauchamp—who runs the only security agency to rival Axel’s—working on it. I’ve also told them, explicitly, to leave the motherfucker for me when they find him. I’m going to have the pleasure of taking him apart, piece by piece for what he did.
"I really should be pissed at you for that, too."
"But you’re not."
She scowls. "Now that you profess to read my thoughts, I am."
"It’s for your own safety."
"I know, but you could have told me. I’d have understood, you know? I’m not stupid. Especially given the kind of business my father was involved with. I know what it means to be afraid for your life."
"And that’s something I will not tolerate. As long as you’re with me, you’re safe. As long as I’m alive, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you. I’ll burn down this world before I let anyone touch a hair on your head. I’ll give up my very life to ensure you’re shielded in every way. I—" I stop, for she’s pulled her hand out from under the lapel of the jacket and reached up to place her fingers on my mouth.
"Let’s not talk about your dying, okay?"
I peer between her eyes. "Okay." Then I lick her finger. She shivers, begins to lower her arm, but I catch her around her waist and pull her close. "I’m sorry I pissed you off yesterday. I’m trying, I swear, but this whole baring-my-emotions-to-another-person thing is a little out of my league."
