And that’s something she can’t afford. “Alex, you’re not always going to get it right.”
“I think I can handle myself.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
She inhales sharply and then relaxes on her back, joining me in staring at the ceiling. It seems to be a good place to look instead of each other. We share a mutual hatred. Why the hell would we bother checking each other out?
She shrugs. “So, it’s settled then.”
“Ophelia is a threat,” I continue. “My family will continue to protect you for as long as you need.”
She scoffs. “My mother has already been a threat—to everyone.”
The rug burns my elbow from how quickly I sit up, but I don’t care. “Do you know that Ophelia has only been keeping you alive because my family demands it?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Just think about everything that’s happened recently.”
She glares at me, rolling to her side to prop her cheek in her hand and mimic my position. We stare each other into the ground for a long time until she says, “Paulina is much less paternal than my mother.”
“That’s what makes them such good friends.”
“Who cares if they’re friends?”
I snort. “We should care. You want to end up dead?”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“Not from me.”
She shakes her head. “Besides, that guy was…” She trails off, her eyes glossing over with a memory. After a second, she shakes her head and whispers, “Forget it.”
I take her chin as gently as possible, drawing her attention much faster than if I had been rough with her. As soon as my thumb grazes her bottom lip, she shudders.
“Forget what?”
“Nothing, Parker.”
I huff with annoyance. “Tell me. If I’m going to be your husband, I have to know.”
“I was attacked on my boat recently.”
The rage that swells in my chest is so deeply unexpected that red blotches my vision. It takes me a minute to get myself under control. “Even more reason for us to stick together.”
“I don’t see how that’s going to help.”
“With me beside you, Alex, you’ll be untouchable.”
She shakes her head. “No, I’ll be an even bigger target.”
“You’re a target either way. And so am I. If you don’t marry me, then my father will try to swoop in—or worse, one of those idiots will attempt to woo you.”
If they haven’t been doing that already, I think while frowning. I stroke the corner of her mouth, causing her to sigh. I’m sure that’s why she was sneaking out.
“One of those idiots,” she whispers, “is your friend.”
“Friends can be competitive.”