Page 70 of Theirs to Possess: The Marriage Claim

Brennan’s knuckles are bruised and a little bloody.

The wall hadn’t looked like that when I tiptoed down the hall last night to eavesdrop on their argument. So whatever it was had continued since then. Or started again.

Once more, I look between the two of them. Does the damage have anything to do with me? Or whatever Brennan had cryptically been referring to right before Dorian noticed I was there?

Something clearly pushed him over the edge. I know he’s loyal to Dorian, and I’ve seen nothing but restraint from him. Stupidly, maybe, I still feel safe with him. But I’m more guarded than I was before.

“Anything else?”

Belatedly I notice Brennan is extending the plate toward me. “Looks perfect.” I try to summon a smile, but I fail totally.

“Housekeeping packed your things in my suitcase,” Dorian tells me.

“Things?” Turning to him, I frown. “What things?”

“Wedding dress. Shoes.”

Oh.Not my belongings. Margaux’s.

He shrugs and adds, “Frilly things.”

I never want to look at them again. “You could have left them behind.”

His smile is more of a snarl. “You don’t want them for our future daughter?”

At the reminder that he wants to get me pregnant, I put down my plate before I can drop it. Suddenly I have no appetite. “Wasn’t something I chose.”

“Not something either of us chose.”

“We could…” I take a breath.

He studies me.

“End this before it goes any further.”

“Isla…” Brennan warns softly.

What is it with me pushing the man I married?

In an instant, Dorian is there, imprisoning my shoulders.

“To be clear. You belong to me.Me.”Then he glances at Brennan. “Us. The fact neither of us made the decision doesn’t make it any less of a reality. Nothing will undo it.” His voice drips with an arctic chill. “Am I clear?”

Unable to find my voice, I swallow deeply.

He gives me a gentle shake. “Am I clear?”

How I wish my courage hadn’t suddenly deserted me.

“I mentioned a spanking yesterday. God help me, woman, if you keep pushing me, you’ll feel my wrath.”

“As if I didn’t last night?”

“That was…” He releases me. But instead of taking a step back, he sweeps a knuckle across my cheekbone. “You deserve better.”

His admission stuns me, making me blink.

“I’m sorry.”