Page 99 of Stolen Temptation

“Me too…” He sighs again. “After that, I knew it was time to take her to a full-time care facility for her safety. But I had a really difficult time with that.”

I just nod.

What else is there for me to do? I can’t even imagine the amount of pain Rory’s been in all these years.

“Before her mind deteriorated, we used to be really close.” His mouth turns down. “Now, she doesn’t even recognize me anymore. Seems like forever ago when she used to take me to art galleries around the city. I never told you, but that’s when I first saw a Libertas.”

When I glance back up, his eyes are there, waiting for mine.

“Really?” I can’t stop myself.

He presses a small kiss to my lips. “Really.”

“It must’ve been one of my mom’s…” I try to imagine this man and his mother admiring my mom’s work. It’s like catching a glimpse of a beautiful parallel universe.

“My dad dropped a couple tens of thousands over the years to get a few for my mom before he passed away.” Rory’s smiling. “I remember how he always hung them on the wall himself while my mom sat with me at the kitchen table and told me the stories each of the Libertas paintings took inspiration from.”

“Which ones did you have?” Eager to form the connection, I flip through my mental catalogue of Mom’s paintings.

“The Looking Glass,Deep Forest, andSwan Lake.”

Affection bursts like fireworks inside me.

Honestly, I’m deeply touched by this entire discussion. I can’t even speak.

I sense Rory’s deep grief for his parents, but I can also sense the beautiful warmth the three of them shared so long ago.

But then a thought hits me.

With a start, I realize that in choosing to protect me, Rory might lose another family. Can I really stand to let that happen after learning how he’s already suffered?

Rory must feel my sudden distress because his fingertips appear at my chin, tilting my face back up to his.His warm gaze searches mine. “What is it?”

“I can’t let you do this.” My eyes well up.

Rory’s expression crinkles in confusion. Gently, he pulls us both up into a sitting position on the couch. “What are you talking about?”

“If the Kings decide to send me back to Leo, that’s what you’ve got to do.”

Anger sharpens his features. “No. I refuse.”

“I’m serious, Rory.”

He seems to grow a few sizes as he tenses, his jaw tight and shoulders taut. “So am I.”

“Please.” I swallow down the knot in my throat. “I won’t let you give up your family to protect me.”

“It’s not right, Kiara.” Rory’s face becomes stormy again. His hands grip my shoulders, commanding my focus. “It’s not right for you to be traded around like a baseball card, like you don’t have any right to make choices for yourself. It’s wrong for the De Lucas to treat you that way, and it’s wrong for the Kings to do the same. I won’t let it happen.”

Hearing those words creates an intimacy I didn’t believe was possible.

Sitting close, something sweet and delicate blooms between us. Something I want to protect, the same way he wants to protect me.

But would he feel this way if he knew who I really was?

Rory takes both of my hands in his. “I promise that I’m going to do everything in my power to keep you safe.”

His eyes…that expression on his face.