Page 50 of Goldsin

The air in the corridor is cold as we step outside, the chill settling into my bones. But it’s better than staying in the smothering heat of his office.

I glance at Aurelia, noticing how her body seems to tremble ever so slightly. Her eyes are wide, her lips pressed into a thin line.

“Julian ...” Her voice is barely above a whisper. “How long has your mother been getting hit by your father?”

The question catches me off-guard.

I can’t ignore the genuine concern shining in her eyes. I hesitate for a moment, my throat tightening as I find the words.

“Since I was old enough to understand what bruises were. And that Mommy screaming wasn’t because they were playing tickle,” I say, my voice rough, borderline calloused. “He uses it to control me—to keep me in line.”

Tears shine in her eyes, and she reaches out to touch my arm. “I can’t let you choose me over your mother, Julian. I’ll help you with the Marlowe situation.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I struggle to find the right thing to say.

How can I protect her if she refuses to stay out of harm’s way?

The truth is, I don’t want her involved in any of this—not with the Marlowes, and not with my family. But what choice do I have? She’s determined. And if I try to protect her, I’ll only be putting her in more danger. Plus, she got herself into this mess to begin with by killing DeMarco.

“Fine,” I concede, my voice straining. “But you need to understand that getting involved in my job meanscrossing lines you might not be ready to cross. Are you prepared for that?”

Like a knife digging into my flesh, I feel a sharpness bleeding me dry as all my past failed attempts at protecting my mom flood my vision. All the phone calls to the police, worthless when they were getting paid off the books by the Inferno Consortium; all the times I stood up for her; all the times I sought help from relatives and friends; all the times I begged Adrian to do something—anything.

Worthless.

“I’ve tried to shield my mother before,” I hear myself admit. “And it’s always ended badly.”

She hesitates, and for a moment I think she might back down.

But then she looks up at me, her eyes filled with determination.

“I can handle it, Julian. Trust me.”

Oh, I know you can, little one.

It’s not her I need to prepare. It’s me.

The thought of her getting caught up in the dark underbelly of the Inferno Consortium makes me sick with fear.

If anything happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself.

But you can’t even protect your own blood ...

I lean in closer, our faces mere inches apart as I whisper my warning. “Just remember, though, if you’re going to get involved in my life, I won’t hesitate to get involved in yours. And I will find out the truth no matterwhat it takes.”

It’s a threat but also an invitation, a challenge for her to rise to.

She shivers at the proximity, her body tense yet oddly inviting. It’s clear she isn’t afraid of me—not in the way she should be, considering what we just went through.

As I pull away I study her face, trying to discern what’s going on in that little head of hers. But she remains unreadable.

“Is this another promise?” Her voice is tinged with something that sounds a lot like excitement. “You still have another promise to uphold.” She lightly bites down on her lower lip.

My dick stirs.

I still need to punish her, and lucky for her, I keep my promises.

“It’s a guarantee,” I say. “But no handcuffs this time.”

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