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My forehead is pressed onto his chest, and I accept his embrace, his touch, the surrender he shields me with. How is it possible to feel peace in a wounded man when there's so much darkness and danger. How...
But Victor being near me made me realize that I truly enjoy Ronan touching me. He brings me the security I haven’t had in years.
“I almost did something,” I blurt out. “If you hadn’t come. This moment would’ve been different.” I release a shuddering breath. “I wanted to kill him right here, Ronan. In front of everyone and not give a damn about the consequences.”
I press closer to his warm chest, as if I’m not already body to body with him. The hold is deep, and it's difficult to not become vulnerable. To swallow myself into him even when we arebothholding back from the urge to murder Victor.
“You’re not alone. I’m not sure if I would’ve stopped myself if you weren’t here,” he admits, grazing his lips on my temple, inhaling again. “I’m sorry you had to endure that. That wasn’t part of the plan,” he grits out. I raise my eyes to look at him. His light eyes painted darker. “I fucking hate myself for it.”
I shake my head. “Don’t.”
“He touched you,” he hisses. “He looked at you like a fucking shark, and I couldn’t do anything about it.”
“You did,” I say. “The plan doesn’t always go the way we want. None of us expected him to approach me.” I press my ear to his chest.
Silence strokes the air, muting out background noise. Only the sound of his heart thrumming.
“Did he touch you inappropriately?” He forces out through clenched teeth. His heart bangs loud and fast against my ear, like a machine working on overdrive.
“No.” If he had, it would’ve been a very,verydifferent outcome.
His shoulders slack a little, the speed of his heart slowing. I can't help but wonder, why does it matter who touches me? Why does his heart beat so fast that it may break through his cavity? And why does he make me feel this way?
“I can protect myself.”
Ronan's arm tightens around my waist, and his other hand that is clasped with mine teases over my wrist and veins. He dips his head in the crook of my neck and tilts slightly, so his lips grazes over my ear. “You’re important to me, so I will always protect you. Whether you like it or not.”
I shiver, shaking my head softly. “Why.”
He’s silent for a few seconds. “I have to.”
I want to dig deeper and ask more questions, but I’m clouded by the way he admits these things to me so blatantly that the words are trapped.
“Did Victor say anything?”
Little relief sinks in my chest from the subject change. “Yes, he mentioned something that threw me off.” I tilt my head back to him, the crease in his forehead tightening under the mask.
“What?”
“He said that the people here take, but don’t expect to be taken from.”
He lets out a ragged breath. “This wasn’t just a ploy to lure us out. He’s up to something, and I’m betting it has to do with stealing their money.”
I nod. “But how would that be possible?”
“No clue.” Ronan twirls me around, then gracefully glides me back.
“What should we do?” I rest my hand on his shoulder, and soft melodic tunes swims into my ears.
He lowers his mouth back to my ear. The simple touch sends more tingles down my spine. “We can kill him now and end this madness once and for all.”
I press my hand tighter onto his shoulder. My foot leaning in to twist my hip slightly; Ronan follows, pressing his palm into my lower back to give more slow momentum.
“What happens after that?” I blurt out. I clamp my lips, cursing myself. Shit.
“Whatever you want,” he says with a husky voice. I look at him through my lashes. He’s already watching me. “You can stay.”
My throat swells with a jolt to my heart.Stay.