Chapter 145

He stays silent, his jaw clenched tightly together. I’m starting to think he isn’t going to answer when he finally does.

His voice is quiet and deadly with barely contained rage. “I ensured they learned their lesson and wouldn’t be a problem for you again. I made them regret ever trying to force themselves on someone. Especially you. I made them regret ever going after someone who wasn’t theirs to pursue, especially as a goddamned target for their sick fantasies. I taught them when someone says no or doesn‘t want you, you leave them alone. That you don’t turn it into a twisted game for the sake of your pleasure.”

It‘s an effort to breathe after witnessing the anger I didn’t realize he held so strongly over the subject. It makes me grateful to the fire for holding his gaze because I know he‘d find an open book if he watched me instead. My throat is tight and my eyes burn. Not just from the memory, but also from the fierceness of his words and how he spoke them.