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But it wasn’t forelse Her past I wanted to find who’d hurt her, who’d betrayed her, andme for death

“I’ve known bad men my whole life I kno to survive I don’t need anyone protecting me”

Soso hard I was sure it would rip through and crack my ribs

I wanted to be the one to protect her I wanted to be the one who killed anything that threatened her

“Why are you doing this?” she whispered, and I hated that she had a tremor in her voice

You knohy Or maybe you don’t But you will, and you’ll be even o

But I didn’t say any of that I took a step closer and watched her body tense, her eyes flare “I caused issues for you with people you don’t want issues with” I held her gaze with mine “And until I fix it, until I can make sure you’re safe, you’ll stay here” She opened her mouth, most likely to protest, but a slow shake ofof my lips stopped her “You’ll stay here” I took a step closer I wasn’t lying about Leonid or the danger he presented, but I also wasn’t being honest about the situation I wanted her here for totally selfish reasons

“You know nothing about ain I didn't answer “My work My apartment” She looked away

“The apartment is a shithole”

She snapped her head in my direction and narrowed her eyes Her annoyance was an accelerant to my lust “That may be, but it’s where I live,” she said in a low voice, all but sneering the words at me “And I need to work I need thetheto keep that shithole of an apartment She needed money for other reasons

I said nothing as I stared into her eyes I took a step closer until our chests alot off on the fact that she didn’t retreat, that she held her ground and met my stare with a thinly veiled pissed-off one

“Whatever you need, I’ll provide”