Tasked with protecting Mia Casteel, he’s drawn to her fiery spirit despite his duty. Her father’s secrets and his growing obsession create a conflict between duty and desire. As Mia pushes his boundaries, he struggles to keep his promise to keep her safe—even from himself. What will he choose?
She gave me morals and principles, the knowledge of right and wrong. We might have been poor, but we never hurt anybody. “I’m so tired,” I whisper. That word doesn’t begin to describe it. I’m empty, wrung out like an old rag. Eventually, this is all going to catch up to me and crash down…
I would claw his eyes out if given the chance. What happened? Do you need help? Yes! I do. Can you please come? I can meet you out on the road that runs alongside the compound. I give him the address and cross my fingers, praying he’ll come through. I need him to come through.…
Going from making her own decisions to being told who she will marry and when. All this time, she had no idea you were even thinking about arranging a marriage…” All I can do is shrug and hope he doesn’t blow my brains out on the spot. Frankly, I wouldn’t care if he did at…
30 MIA I turn around, breathless, looking over the back seat and out the rear window. Dean’s driving fast enough that the compound quickly shrinks until it’s far enough away that I can’t see it anymore. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll never see it again. “It’s fine. Nobody saw me.” Dean lets out a…
No. This isn’t true. I’m not hearing this. I fell asleep, and this is a dream. A nightmare, an absolute fucking nightmare. The worst I’ve ever had, which is saying something. I wrap my arms around myself, feeling as lost and small and terrified as I’ve ever been. “I’m not getting married. I’m not marrying…
For a moment, I can almost pretend we’re a regular father and daughter. Not that I would know what that feels like in real life, but I know how I’ve always imagined it being. He then shakes Zeke’s hand. “I want to see you in my office right away. I have a few things I…
He goes to his desk, and I follow him. After gesturing for me to take a seat, he sits in his leather chair and leans back with a sigh. I settle into my chair, though I’m not quite as ready to get comfortable as he is. Something’s off. I didn’t get to be as good…
And evidently, he has certain expectations that I’m sure were drilled into his head by his father and the other men around him. Eric Rinaldi. It will be him sharing her bed. His children she carries. His name she’ll have to moan night after night even if her heart’s not in it. When I imagine…
I grab us both some water while she recovers, sitting on the stool again and leaning against the counter like she’s wiped out. I can’t pretend it doesn’t make me the slightest bit proud, being the reason for it. Still, I can’t let it go. It will eat at me like an ulcer unless I…
Nobody could do to her what I do. And nobody could protect her the way I can. As I walk to the bathroom, I can’t help but remember that note, the only one left in front of the door. You Can’t Protect Her. The memory leaves a sour taste in my mouth, even with Mia…