GENESIS
He was upset. I could feel it—wrapped around him like smoke. His heartbeat was faster, his body stiff and tense. He wasn't relaxed.
Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking away the sleep. As I did, all my senses kicked in. Voices filled the room.
"You think he's coming after you," someone said.
"I don't think, Damon. The bastard called me and threatened to hurt her. I would've taken it if it was just me and then kill him off because no one threatens me." His voice was low and rough, a growl full of fury. He was pacing, back and forth, and the motion made my head spin. I shut my eyes again.
Maybe it's time I stopped acting like this and got down. He must be tired.
But even just thinking about leaving the warmth of his arms made my heart race and my body shiver.
What if I go back to that place again?
I don't want to.
I can't go back.
Not now. Not ever.
He's kind to me.
He doesn't hit me or pass me around like I'm nothing.
He doesn't use me like they did.
Tears stung the back of my eyes. I don't want to get stuck there again.
"…but no one threatens her," I heard him growl, "and I'm going to wipe him off the face of the earth. Should've done it before."
I looked up. His eyes were dark—stormy and wild, like the sky before a downpour.
"Boss?" someone called out.
He snapped his head down toward me, startled. His eyes widened slightly when he saw I was awake.
Then he looked away, speaking quickly to the other person in a language I didn't recognize—sharp, fast, and completely foreign to my ears. The other man replied in the same tongue. Footsteps retreated, a door closed.
I turned my head toward the sound, but before I could react, his hand gently took my jaw and tilted my face up to him.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked. His eyes roamed over my face like he was memorizing me, drinking me in.
And just like that, my whole body warmed.
He wasn't going to leave me… right?
So why was I still clinging to him like a baby? I wasn't Daisy. I didn't need to be held like this.
I didn't answer. Instead, I started to slide off him. But his hand moved to hold me in place, firm and unapologetic on my backside.
What was he doing?
I tried again, but he wouldn't let go. I looked up at him, frowning. He didn't smile.
"What are you doing, princess?" he asked softly.
Didn't he want me to get down?
I gestured to the floor. He followed my motion, then looked back at me.
"I don't care," he said, leaning in to kiss the tip of my nose. "I'd carry you like this all day if you want."
His arms pulled me closer, chest to chest. His body was solid, warm—and I could feel everything. My cheeks burned, and I looked away.
But he caught my chin again, forcing me to look at him. His eyes had darkened.
"They can threaten all they want," he murmured, "but I'll take them out before they ever get close to you."
Huh?
His hand moved to the back of my neck, and his lips crashed into mine.
"When I'm done with them," he growled against my mouth, "I'll fuck you—bathed in their blood."
A shiver tore through me. I should've been afraid. He was talking about blood—whose blood?
But instead of fear, something else stirred deep in my belly.
Heat.
His tongue slid across the roof of my mouth, and his hand gripped my neck—not harshly, but firmly. My heart slammed against my ribs.
For a split second, fear shot through me. A memory—hands around my neck, cruel and unforgiving. But I opened my eyes and saw him.
My husband.
Not them. Not the past.
And the fear disappeared.
When he finally pulled away, his eyes were glassy and dark—the same look he always had when he wanted me.
So I used that moment to pull away from his arms. The second my feet touched the floor, a shiver ran through me—but I grabbed his hand and pressed my face to his chest.
I'm safe.
He's here.
He let out a soft chuckle, then leaned down and kissed my forehead.
We stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, and then he murmured something I never expected.
"Do you want revenge, princess?"