Page 25 of Before Broken Vows

Every single one.

Rule number one:Never lie to Sir.

Rule number two:Always answer when spoken to.

Rule number three:Disobedience has consequences.

"Yes," I whisper.

His thumb traces my lower lip, a touch that creates a fire on my skin.

My knees nearly give out.

Heat pools between my legs, treacherous and familiar. This is how it always was—me defiant, him dominant, both of us burning up from the inside out.

"But I'm not your good girl anymore," I say, not as confident as I should be.

His smile. "No? Then why are you trembling?"

"Because I'm angry."

"Maybe it's memory." He leans in, his lips a breath away from mine. "You're wet right now, aren't you? Remembering how it was between us."

I should slap him. I should walk away. Instead, I meet his stare, unflinching. "And you're hard. So I guess we're both remembering."

His jaw tightens. For a moment, I think he might kiss me, or prove me right by showing exactly how hard he is.

Instead, he steps back, cold and controlled once more. "Time's ticking, Stassi. When it's up, you'll need to find somewhere else to hide."

The sudden distance leaves me reeling. "Wait. Just like that? You're walking away?"

"I'm giving you a chance to think about what matters more—your secrets or your safety." He straightens his shirt, his face unreadable. "Choose wisely."

As he goes to walk past me to leave, I look at him. "You're still trying to control everything. That hasn't changed."

He pauses in the doorway. "Neither have you," he says, looking over his shoulder. "The difference now is, I'm not chasing anymore."

With that, he's gone, leaving me alone with his words and the ache between my thighs that I haven't felt since I left.

I slide down the wall, curling my fingers into fists. He walked away, and I didn't stop him. I should've. But part of me is still back in L.A., frozen in the moment I got the news, trying to piece together a version of the truth that won't break us both.

Maybe he's right.

But if he knew what I was hiding, everything between us would burn.

And I'm not ready for the ashes.

10

THEO

The smell of coffee draws me toward the kitchen. Elena must be making a fresh pot.

It's early. The kind of quiet morning where nothing stirs. I've been up since before the sun, going over updates on that damn lawyer, Xanos. After rereading every thread of the financial trail that leads nowhere, I've decided I don't have time for anything. I've ordered my men to storm his place today and bring him to a safe house where I'll go and speak to him. I probably should have done that sooner, but I'll rectify that.

As the coffee smell gets stronger, I'm more thankful for it. I didn't sleep that well last night.

After my little exchange with Stassi, I became more confused than ever. I want to know what she's hiding, but part of me wants to stop asking and just enjoy her being here, while also being upset that she's here.