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Hate will make it easier for me to remain in control.
I smile kindly. “Are you pleased with your dinner?”
Eden glares at me as she places her silver beside her plate. “I’m not hungry. Why are you after my father? What has he done toyou?”
I lean forward, holding my wineglass loosely in one hand. And though a whole table separates us, Eden flinches as if I’m in her face.
“I’m the one who asks the questions here.”
“You have to be kidding me!” She scoffs with disgust. “You abducted me, and then you dropped me off a roof.”
“There were nets.” I raise a finger to halt her words. “And you were the one who said you’d rather die.”
Her expression shifts to concern, and she stares at me wide-eyed. “Are you a criminal?”
Her unexpected directness knocks me off balance. “You aren’t the one asking questions, I am.”
“When you took me,” she says, ignoring what I’ve said. “You said it was for my protection. From whom? Those three men?”
I narrow my gaze and nod. “You have no idea what those men are capable of.”
“Is that a threat?” she asks, matching my hard gaze and I feel that surge of attraction rushing through my blood again.
I stand from my side of the table and walk over until I’m looking down at her. Those innocent yet defiant hazel eyes turn toward me, and all I can think is how I can bend her to my will.
“What is your father’s name?” I ask coldly. “His real name.”
“His name is Michael Clark,” she replies hotly. “He’s a good, honest man. Not a criminal like you.”
“Do you really believe that?” I ask coldly. “I need you to think carefully now, Eden. Has your father never done anything so out of character from the man you know?”
Eden is quiet as she thinks it over. She stares out the window as if in a daze. I wonder if she is thinking or if she is just looking into the night.
“Just once,” she finally says, sincerity in her voice. “On the night I ran away from home, he got into a fight. With a boy who got too close to me.”
“Oh?” My ears perk up at this revelation. “And what did he do to this poor boy?”
“He picked him up by the neck and threw him into the bushes.”
I fight to keep myself from sighing in frustration. Any good, protective father will do that. This isn’t proof at all.
“I saw the way you reacted to being locked in.” I change tactics. “You seemed more terrified of that than death itself. Why?”
“Because my dad doesn’t allow me to go anywhere or do anything,” she scoffs. “He has made me come straight home from school ever since I was a kid. And he’ll lock me away if I try to sneak out.”
“Like a princess in a tower,” I say quietly. Now we’re getting somewhere. Bratva fathers spoil their daughters and lock away the pretty ones from the world. “Why?”
“He keeps telling me it’s for my own protection,” she replies. “But never explains. Just like you are doing right now. I guess he’s right. One rash decision later, and I ended up here. Forced to marry you.”
I frown.
“I need you to listen carefully,” my voice is low and urgent. “Those men are ruthless and won’t hesitate to hurt you or your father.”
“Is that supposed to make you seem better?” she asks.
“Let’s just say this is in your best interest.” I take a breath to unclench my jaw. “Refuse if you want. But know that if you do, I will not lift a finger to protect you.”
She looks away from my gaze and swallows hard. Her lips part and then shut tight. Despite the arguments running through Eden’s mind, she looks like she’s about to waver.
