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She gives me a cryptic smile. “After all, there are worse things than being Used.”

Sophie’s right.

Adrian and I have come to an impasse about Haven. I know from Max that something terrible happened to her, but while he was determined to make up my fail of a birthday to me, that was one line he wouldn’t cross. When the time came that I learned Haven story, it would have to be from Haven herself.

Between the two guys, I know that she was hurt—and she was hurt because she was an Offering.

So what’s worse than being one of the Used?

How about being given away, turned into property, into the perfect trophy wife as though my thoughts, my ambitions, mydreamsmean nothing compared to a member of the Order’s.

So what does Adrian want?

Me.

At least, that’s what he tells me. But is he only telling me what he wants me to hear. I’m not sure, but?—

An all-too-familiar clearing of a throat has my conversation with Sophie dying a quick death seconds before a voice I hear in my dreams says, “I’m sorry, but if it’s okay with you, I’d like to borrow my wife.”

Turning, I find that Adrian has joined us. When? How much did he hear? We were only really talking about the Used, but did he overhear me earlier when I attempted to grill Sophie about any relationship she might have—or had—with him?

The heat in his gaze tells me thatyes,yes he did.

Oh, shit.

Realizing that he has my attention, his lip curls slightly. “My wife,” he echoes, the words meant for me and me alone.

Ignoring Sophie… ignoring the rest of the party… Adrian steps behind me, scalding me with his heat, his voice a dark whisper at my ear. “You like being mine, Loni. You always have.”

Yes.

I close my eyes, letting my head fall back on my neck.

He brushes his mouth over the side of my throat.

I swallow. “Adrian… people can see us.”

“I know, princess. I know.”

I remember what he told me once before. How, back when we used to sneak around, hewantedsomeone to see us.

That’s not me, though. In the moments when I have Adrian Heller, I want him to be just mine. I don’t want to share him, and in a soft whisper, I tell him that.

And that’s how, before I even realize what’s going on, he has my hand in his as he starts to pull me out of the living room and toward the stairs.

TWENTY-ONE

THE STUDY

ADRIAN

“Where are we going?”

I don’t answer Loni. No point. If I tell her, she’ll insist that we have to stay with our party guests. Fuck ‘em. I wanted to make up for missing most of my wife’s birthday, and I did. I gave her Peaches. I hosted a get together for whoever wanted to gawk at the woman that Desmond St. James lost his life for. I gave her her space to acclimate to the world of the Order again.

Now?

The visible jealousy did me in. She wants me; no denying that. So she won’t tell it to me straight. I know her. I know her thoughts, and her needs.