Page 54 of Betrayed in the Dark
Adolfo leans back in his chair, his eyes taking me in. “You must be the new bodyguard we’ve heard so much about.”
“Yes, sir. The one and only.”
“And you’re equipped to handle Madeleine?”
Handle?This senile dickhead knows what century we’re in, right?
“If you mean to ask, am I equipped to keep Madeleine safe? Then yes. I would take a bullet for her and have. But handle?” I shake my head. “One doesn’thandlea queen in her own kingdom.”
Madeleine glances up at me with parted lips, her eyes holding mine as they shine radiantly. The tiny flame from the candle at the center of the table reflects across them, making her appear divine.
“Women are to be tamed,” Adolfo mutters, raising his amber drink to his lips. “You’ll learn that soon enough.”
Tamed?This son of a—
“Will Enzio be joining us tonight?” Madeleine asks, smoothing a napkin over her lap.
Alastor scoffs. “Let’s hope not. The sight of him will make my appetite vanish.”
“So, Eli,” Cressida begins. Is it just my imagination, or did her chair move closer to mine? “I heard you were in the military. That must have been very scary.”
I nod. “It can be, yes. Depends on the assignment and the location, but overall, I enjoyed my time in the service.”Up until the very end.“I ended my career as a Navy SEAL and would like to think I became the man I am today because of it.”
Adolfo waves a dismissive hand. “Technology provides most of the legwork in the field. Not the soldiers.”
My fist curls on the table. “That’s not—”
“But how were you able to join the American military if you’re British?” Cressida asks, her wide eyes appearing curious.
I take a sip of water to rein in my anger. “The Alarie Estate is my primary address. It’s where I grew up while attending school in the States. I’ve always considered it my home.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Madeleine fight back a soft smile before she brings her glass of red wine to her lips.
“Well, if you enjoyed it so much, then why aren’t you still doing it?” Cressida tilts her head to the side, batting her lashes as she waits for my answer.
“Well, I umm.” I clear my throat, trying not to think about that day. My hand slides across the back of my neck, squeezing my tight muscles. “I was kidnapped and then…tortured.” I swallow hard. “And according to the government’s standards, my injuries sustained were too severe for me to perform my job adequately anymore.”
“You were injured?” Madeleine asks softly, her brows furrowing together. “No one told—” Her bright blue eyes widen, staring up at me. She connects the pieces, remembering the burns across my back. The ones she saw when I moved into her home. And the same ones that are a constant reminder of a time in my life I wish I could forget.
“Finally, we’re practically starving over here!” Alastor scolds the waiter who appears beside me, placing salads in front of all of us.
I’m just about to cut into mine when I hear Mila speak for the first time tonight. “Don’t you think that dress is a little too revealing for a place like this, dear?”
Who is she talking about— My knife clatters onto my plate, silencing everyone around the table as I realize her eyes are fixated on Madeleine’s outfit.
It takes everything in me to control my temper as I watch Madeleine fidget with her dress, her skin turning a soft shade of pink.
“I thought it was suitable for tonight,” she says defensively.
“It looks very lovely to me,” Cressida adds.
“Hmm.” Mila purses her lips in clear disapproval. “It’s not very classy. I think it’s a bit too tight.”
“She’s right.” Alastor stares at Madeleine with disdain. “My fiancée shouldn’t be traipsing around like some common whore.”
My vision blurs with rage, my fingers curling into a fist on the table before me. “You think it’s appropriate to speak to your fiancée that way?”
Alastor narrows his eyes. “I will speak to my fiancée any damn way I please.” His line of sight turns to Madeleine. “Next time, check with me first on what you’re allowed to wear.”
