Page 11

The second I walked through the door, I wanted to turn back around and leave.

Lilith was waiting in the foyer, arms folded, a red silk robe hanging off her shoulders like she was trying to look delicate. The fire in her eyes killed the act.

“You’ve been gone for three nights,” she said. “Where?”

I dropped my keys on the table. Shrugged off my jacket.

“Out.”

She followed me into the living room like a ghost with teeth.

“My father noticed. Asked me what you’ve been doing. Who you’ve been doing.”

I opened the bar cabinet. Poured whiskey.

“He’s welcome to ask me himself,” I said. She always mentioned her father as a threat. She wouldn’t rein me in using him.

“You think he won’t?” she snapped. “You think because you’ve got a little muscle and a few men who’d die for you, you’re untouchable now?”

I sipped. “No.”

“You’re embarrassing me,” she hissed. “Sleeping around with trash every other night. I hear about all the women.”

There had only been one woman in three years—Miyori . But I wouldn’t tell her that.

I turned.

“Don’t question me. This is a nominal situation,” I said flatly. “You begged for this marriage. You wanted me. You got me. And now you want the husband too? Don’t push your luck.”

Her lip curled. “You swore—”

“I swore to show up in public. To protect your reputation. That’s it.”

She stepped forward. Her breath shook. Her voice dropped. “And I’m your wife.”

I didn’t blink. “You’re a title on a document. A name I use when I need a seat at your father’s table.”

That’s when she snapped.

Her hand came fast, slapping across my face, hard. Nails dragged skin.

I didn’t move .

She hit me again. And again.

Fists this time. Weak ones. Full of rage.

“You think you can leave me alone with this body?” she screamed, pounding my chest. “With this illness? This pain? And go fuck some stray you picked up on the street?”

I caught her wrist mid-swing. Looked her in the eye.

“You done?”

She yanked her arm back and crumpled onto the couch, crying the way she always did—loud, messy, manipulative.

I left her there. Didn’t say another word.

It was after one in the morning when I made it back to Miyori ’s place.

The key slid into the lock easy.

Inside was dark. One lamp in the corner, low and warm.

She was asleep on her side, curled up under a thin blanket. Soft breathing. Pillow halfway on the floor.

I didn’t say anything.

Took my coat off. Boots next.

Slid into bed behind her, careful not to wake her.

My hand settled on her waist. She stirred once but didn’t open her eyes. Just leaned back, barely—like her body knew mine was near.

I closed my eyes and exhaled.

This was peace.

The only place I didn’t want to burn to the ground.