Page 132 of The King's Man
“But that’s what yourbrotherswill think! Right?”
“I don’t give a flying fuck what they think, as long as it keeps you safe,” he snarled through his teeth.
“You may not care how they see me, but I do!” I hissed. “A great deal!”
“That isn’t what I meant and you know it!”
“No, Jann, I don’t! Because every time I sink deeper with you, something else happens, some new nugget of information or new attitude and I’m suddenly thrown loose again, rattling in the wind wonderingwhen is he finally going to show his true colors?!”
“True colors?” he snarled. “You think Ihaven’tshown you who I truly am?!”
Something deep in my chest cautioned silence—but my mind fought it. Reminding me of every sick, stupid way men had hurt and broken me and every other woman I knew. There wasalwaysa downfall. Always a disappointment. And sometimes a tragedy.
“How would I know, Jann? Truly—how would I know?”
“Because you’re fuckinginside me,Dee, that’s how!” he growled, and for the first time I saw very real anger in his eyes… for me. I didn’t back down, didn’t let him push me away as he leaned down, looming over me, eyes blazing with rage. “If anyone can sense the truth of my heart, it should be you. And yet you are the one who believes in me the least.”
I blinked. “I never said I didn’t believe—”
“So quick to assume that I would do wrong. So ready to believe that I’ve hidden secrets from you, or have plans I haven’t spoken. Soconvinced that I secretly plan to be your destroyer.”
My breath rushed out of me, because it was true. But couldn’t he see that what he was, what he came from, wasvile?
“Do not stare down your nose at me when you question every good thing I have done, and believe every bad thing before I’ve even said it,” he snarled.
I swallowed hard. “Your people, your culture—Ihatethem, Jann. They are the worst of men. The worst this world has to offer—”
“But amI?!”he roared.
I flinched and he cursed and looked away from me, muttering under his breath and actually trembling.
I was torn in two—half of me desperate to comfort him, the other half terrified of what he might do.
Which was when he went still, then his head turned back to me and he stared, wide-eyed. “Frightened? You’restillfrightened of me?”
“You could snap my neck with one hand.”
“Yes, but you believe Iwould?”
No.
I blinked as my mind answered before my fear.
No. No… I didn’t think he would.
But he had slaves?
He took my hesitation as a blow and flinched. Then he growled.
“As a rule I try not to boast, but apparently you won’t look beyond my words to see that my actions uphold them, so here is yourtruth,Dee: IwonCaelan. I saw her being abused, challenged the fucker who’d stolen her from Meyrath, and took her directly out of the sadistic bastard’s arms. I dressed her like a human, educated her, and learned to recognize her unique talents. She is quietly one of the wealthiest women in our society becauseI made sure she could be.Her loyalty to me is a result ofgratitude,not fear. She has been in my house for a decade and runs my affairs when I am gone. I trust her withanything.And she trusts me.
“Did that trust become a link between us? Yes—many years ago. Occasionally. Before I knew you, and only whenboth of us desired it.She is a slave in name because it protects her in Ebonreach, but she would be the first to challenge you for accusing me of treating her like one. God!” He put a trembling finger under my nose, his eyes blazing. “You may judge my people and you may despise our society—as do I!—but donotpaint me with that brush when you knownothingand refuse to listen to what you’re told.”
He shoved my hand away like it offended him and turned his back like he’d storm away, but then he stopped, hands clenched at his sides into fists.
He quivered.
I stared at his back, simultaneously grateful and horrified.
