Page 118 of Dukes Are Forever
"And you don't care enough!"
The near shout took them both by surprise.
He stared at her. "Don't mistake control for indifference. I care about COR. I've risked my life for all of—"
"I'm talking about yourself," she said, anger thick and constrained in her voice. "Ever since we rescued you in Russia, you've been pushing us all away. Pushing yourself. You're callous and reckless with your own health and safety. Balfour's demise has consumed you and do you know what frightens me the most, Malloryn?"
He didn't have to answer.
"It's not the fact I don't think you can beat Balfour. It's the fact you're acting as though you don't think you'll survive the encounter."
It was true. He hadn't been himself in months. He could admit that. "Nobody knows the outcome of what's to come."
"But do you care? Do you honestly care whether you survive it?"
"Of course I want to survive it." His mouth twisted. "I won't let him beat me. Trust that, if nothing else."
A choked sound echoed in her throat, and then she was stepping forward, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Malloryn held his arms out in surprise, as Gemma pressed her cheek to her chest. She squeezed him so hard he thought she might intend to break one of his ribs.
"Promise me," she whispered. "Promise me you intend to survive it."
Malloryn rested his chin on the top of her head as he folded his arms slowly around her. "I promise. I can't just leave you all behind. Who else would provide Byrnes with so much amusement? Who else would curse you all, as you try to run roughshod over poor Herbert? Someone has to keep you Rogues in line."
A shuddery breath escaped her as she buried her face against his chest. "I am going to hold you to that promise, because if you let yourself be killed, I swear I will tell Society every damning secret you ever had."
"You don't know all my secrets."
"I'll make some up," she threatened.
A rough laugh escaped him. "Ah, Gem. Who would have ever thought we'd end up here the night Balfour sent you to kill me? You're a menace."
"And you're an arrogant ass," she muttered.
It made him smile.
"So much for being one of my most dangerous spies," he murmured, drawing back to look into her face. "Is this 'hugging' going to happen often?"
"You started it when you thought I'd gone missing after that incident at the tower."
So he had.
Maybe she wasn't the only one beginning to wear their heart on their sleeve. "Promise me one thing."
"Anything."
"If we survive, then you're going to set a wedding date with Obsidian."
She looked up sharply, but he pressed a finger to her lips.
"No more excuses. London won't fall apart just because you took the chance to enjoy your own life for a moment."
"We've been so busy," she grumbled.
"Promise me," he repeated. "I want to walk you down the aisle. I want to see you happy, after everything you've done for me. Give me something to fight for, Gem."
Gemma's eyes narrowed. "I promise. But don't think I'm not aware you're manipulating me right now. 'Give me something to fight for' indeed."
