Page 17 of Twisted Ties

“Doesn’t matter though, does it? You think your family will accept her? They wanted me for you, you for me, because we are suited.”

“You know I don’t give a damn what they want.”

She turns on him. “Because you’re pathetic, Azlan. Determined to throw your life away. Always so determined.”

“And you are a cruel bitch. I’m beginning to wonder if it really was necessary to make Rhi wait for that procedure or if you just wanted to see her suffer.”

The doctor smirks up at him and he starts to shove her out of the door.

“I’ll be reporting you to your supervisor.”

“I am the supervisor, darling.”

“Then I’ll be lodging a complaint to the medical board.”

“And maybe I’ll report this newunionto the authorities.”

“You promised me,” he growls.

“And once upon a time you made me some promises, Azlan. Promises you didn’t keep.”

“I’m warning you, Lucinda. You breathe one word of this to anyone, if anyone in this clinic breathes even one syllable of a word, I’ll–”

“What? What will you do?”

“You’d be sensible not to find out. Because you won’t be alive to regret it.”

His eyes are full of menace and fear suddenly floods the doctor’s eyes. She knows he is serious.

“I’m warning you only once,” he repeats, then pushes her through the doorway and slams it shut.

He stands there, shoulders heaving for several silent minutes. Then he marches to the bed, throws back the covers and reaches for me.

“What the hell are you doing?” I say.

He scoops me up into his strong arms.

“We’re getting out of here and going home.”

7

Rhi

“Home?”I say, having no idea where he means.

Another doctor attempts to block his path as he thunders down the corridor, wittering on about the importance of monitoring me for another day or two.

The man in black simply glares at him and says through his clenched teeth, “Move before I blast you into next fucking week.”

The doctor scuttles away and soon we’re out of the clinic with its bright lights and sterile stench, and out into the warm light of day and the fresh air.

I inhale deeply, smelling my mate’s scent in my nose, making me dizzy and light-headed.

He flags down a taxi and bundles us both into the back of the cab, barking some address I don’t understand at the driver.

“Where are we going?” I say, shuffling away from him and folding my arms across my chest, despite the way my body keens towards him.

“I told you. Home.” He reaches across my body, and my heart skips several beats. But all he does is take the seatbelt and buckles me in.