I say the words loud and clear as I hold up the single paper as proof.
His axe stops mid swing, and he glares at me from afar. “What do you want from me, Jas? Why did you come back?” His eyes flutter back and forth between the box and me.
“Because you’ll kill my sister if I don’t,” I say.
The air grows thick with tension.
“You said you’d always keep your promises,” I say.
His eyes are fixated on mine.
“You want me to stay? To be yours?” I continue. “Then you will let me have what I want too.”
He slowly puts down the axe, flexing his muscles as he turns to face me. “And what do you want?” He tilts his head. “Because I’m more than willing to give.”
I lick my lips.
He’s made me fear him. Rage toward him. Desire the bad guy inside him. Cry because of him.
It’s about time he got a taste of his own medicine.
“I want to be free to do whatever I want,” I say.
If I’m going to sacrifice my body to save my sister, it’ll be on my terms.
He raises his brow. “Like what?”
A devious smile tips up my lips. Time to finally let “protected princess” Jasmine have her way. And as I hold up my car key, I ask, “That town you brought me to … Is there a bar?”
Chapter 27
Liam
* * *
Two hours later
* * *
After eating our amazing roasted deer and a salad Jasmine made, she got dressed, and I drove her to town.
When we arrive, the bar is already bustling with people, but she doesn’t seem the least bit scared. I have never seen her this excited before. At least, not that I remember.
At all our parents’ parties, she seemed distanced, yet the moment she stepped foot into this bar, her eyes lit up like fireworks.
I have to physically hold her back. “Keys.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “It’s my car.”
“I know, but it’s my job to keep you safe,” I reply, tilting my head as I hold out my hand. “Now hand them over.”
She rolls her eyes and sighs but still does what I ask.
Then she marches off straight to where the drinks are served.
“Don’t follow me,” she barks in her little black dress and pumps.
I pause in my tracks.