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“Did they?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good to know.”

“You didn’t have a hand in that?”

“No, I didn’t. Why? Did you think I’d threaten them to take you back?”

“Wouldn’t you?”

“I wanted to kill them. You deserve better than working for people like that, but if it makes you happy, then it’s okay.” I laugh and shake my head at his response. So it must have been my father who had given them a warning to give me my schooling and position back.

“You are insane.”

“About you.”

A rapid knock at the door disturbs our conversation. “I hate to interrupt you lovebirds, but we have to get going soon,” Claudia calls out.

“We’re about to get ready,” Ian replies.

I sigh and slide out of bed. Ian growls, and I turn around to see him leaning on his elbow staring at me with a dirty smile. “What are you thinking, Mr. MacNamara?”

“That your ass looks so good naked. I’m regretting that we made plans today.”

“Well, thanks to you I’m quite sore, so it’s good that we have plans.”

“Thanks to me? I’m pretty sure you woke me up to ride my cock in the middle of the night.”

“Yes, and that massive beast brutalized my insides.” I roll my eyes and head into the en-suite, closing the door behind me.

“You better lock that door, minx, or I’m coming in after you.” I don’t bother hitting the lock. I’d love for him to come get me, and I’m not disappointed.

We’re almost late to my parents’ house.

Chapter Eighteen

Ian

The moment we pull through our family estate, I feel a semblance of peace. I have her perfectly safe, or at least as safe as I can until the bastard is killed. It’s been on my mind for weeks, but this is the first time she isn’t protected by her father, and now she’s clearly tied to me. Yes, we’re not married yet, but the news has spread by now that in one month, Calista will be my wife.

“Ian, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“You’re lying to me, and I don’t like it,” she says, clamping down on her lips, tempering her words.

“I’m just a little on edge. As you’re aware, my father is still out there, and he hasn’t made his move since the attack on me. There has been no hints on his whereabouts since then, and it’s a bit unnerving now that we’ve made things official.”

“Is this the reason you didn’t contact me?”

“Of course. I wasn’t strong enough to protect you. If I let on that you were mine, he would have attacked. Yes, your father had his men locked on at all times, but the risk was too great for my piece of mind. I hired a few guards to stay on the periphery and keep track, but no one my father was acquainted with, so he wouldn’t have been aware that they were working for me.”

“How are you doing now?”

“I’m healed. My strength and agility are nearly one hundred, so don’t worry. I won’t let him get to you. You’re safe here.”

“I’m going to be heading back to school and work.”