Page 68 of Heartless Game

“How?”

“By giving her every damn thing she wants,” I said, meaning every word.

Aviva exhaled, staring at me.

“You promise?”

I nodded.

“If it kills me,” I said seriously.

“Fine. But if you hurt her again, I will end you. And I’ll make Jack bury your body,” she warned.

Jack chuckled, scooping her up in his arms and carrying her to their bedroom.

“They’ll be fine,” he told her. “It’s you who has to worry…”

They disappeared down the hallway, leaving me alone. Taking another deep breath, I headed to the guest room, quietly opening the door.

The lights were on. On the muted TV, some couple was touring an apartment.

Tovah was curled up on the bed, head cupped in her palm, eyes closed, breathing slowly and easily. For a moment, I stood and watched her, taking in how innocent and vulnerable she looked. And as I stared, I realized just how badly both Iandthe monster wanted to protect her. Because she’d been right. I had been jealous. I did care. She was mine, and I was keeping her.

As I moved in closer, I spotted a wet spot on the pillow.

She’d been crying.

I’d done that.

I’d made her cry.

Never again though. The only time she’d cry from now on was from too many orgasms, or choking on my cock. Otherwise, I was going to learn how to make this gorgeous, smart-assed, brilliant and courageous woman smile. I’d make it right. I’d atone for every single tear I’d caused, until the day I died.

Shit, did Iloveher?

I shook it off. I couldn’t love her. But I could keep her. I wasn’t sure how to have her and make sure she was safe, but I’d figure it out. Because she was mine, and that was never, ever changing.

Careful to not wake her, I scooped her up in my arms and carried her out of the bedroom, down the quiet hallway, and out of the penthouse.

I was taking her home, where she belonged. She’d sleep in my arms, like she was supposed to. And tomorrow, I’d start making it right.

26

Tovah

Something shook me out of sleep. I opened my eyes to see Isaac in the seat next to me as he turned onto his street and pulled into the driveway.

I shot straight up.

No. This wasn’t happening.

I unbuckled my seatbelt the moment he stopped the car. I couldn’t breathe the same damn air as him.

He clicked the locks shut, and tears I thought I’d run out of spilled from my eyes. I didn’t even bother wiping them away.

“Tovah,” he said into the silence. “I…”

“Youwhat,Isaac? Youwhat?What fucking excuse do you have for what you pulled back there? And no,” I said, holding my hand up. “I don’t care that you warned me you were going to do it earlier. You literally tied menakedinwinterto the goddamned founders’ statue at night for anyone to see me. That’s not funny. That’s insane. And what’s more insane? When someone did see me, you descended on them like you were protecting me, when you know what, Isaac? It wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’tput me there in the first fucking place!”

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