Buttons and Grace (Buttons 6)

“I assumed I would be going back home…” She pulled her hand from her soft strands and finally looked me in the eye.

The thought hadn’t crossed my mind—not once. I just assumed she would stay with me, after everything we’d been through. I’d saved her from Tristan, and I thought we’d live the rest of our lives together. She didn’t love me, but she would live a comfortable life with my wealth and protection.

She continued to watch me, tense as if I might explode.

“Go back home? To tell Lizzie’s parents what happened?” I suppose she deserved to tell her parents that she was okay, that she was being treated well and had the freedom to do what she wanted. She wasn’t the property of a psychopath anymore.

“Yeah…and because that’s where I live.”

She wanted to leave me. After everything I’d done for her, she wanted to go back to her old life.

“I could go back to school and be a teacher. I could spend time with my parents again. I could have my life back…the life I had before everything was taken away from me.”

All I could do was stare at her in surprise. I wasn’t sure why the thought had never crossed my mind. Why would I expect her to stay here with me if she wasn’t in love with me?

“I thought I could stay a little longer, maybe a week or so. But I should be getting back.”

Those words hurt most of all. It was hard enough being with a woman who didn’t share my feelings, but watching her walk away after what I did for her was a punch in the gut. “Do you understand what I did for you?” I spoke quietly, but the words were pregnant with audible rage. My hands trembled on the table, and every muscle in my back was tense and rigid.

“Yes, and I—”

“While you were sitting here eating everything in my fridge, I was killing every man I locked eyes with to get my brother out of there. My brother was tortured and beaten because he risked his neck for you. He risked his wife for you. No, Adelina. I don’t think you grasp the severity of the situation.” I rose out of my chair even though I had no idea why I did. My body couldn’t sit still anymore. There was so much anger pumping through my veins. “I lost my business because of you.”

Her eyes filled with moisture until she couldn’t look at me anymore.

“After all of that, you just leave?”

Her mouth was shut tight, her body trembling slightly.

“When I walked into that room where you were handcuffed to the wall, I could have fucked you. I didn’t. When I took you as a loan, I could have done whatever I wanted to you. Did I? No. When you were in my captivity, you were shown nothing but respect. I took you sight-seeing and made your life enjoyable. And when I turned you over to Tristan, I was sick to my stomach. I couldn’t sleep knowing you were there. So I risked everything to get you back. I risked my whole family—for you.”

It was the first time she’d cowered underneath me, appearing small and fragile.

My hands were shaking because I was so angry. She’d played me for a fool, used me for everything that I had. I was tougher than stone and never let my guard down for anyone. The first time I did, she stabbed me right in the gut. She used me, played me. I was just a stepping-stone to get where she wanted. I wasn’t going to sacrifice so much unless I got something out of it. “You aren’t going back, Adelina. You were Tristan’s prisoner, and now you’re mine. That’s your debt to me.”

She looked up at me again, and this time, her eyes flashed. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am serious.” I’d never meant anything more in my life. “You’re my property. I’m not the kind of man who does something for free. I always expect something in return. I saved your life, declared war against an ally, and lost my family’s business to save you. You bet your ass, you’re staying. If you ask me, you got a good deal.”

“Cane, I have a family—”

“I don’t give a shit. You’ll have a beautiful house to live in, more money than you know what to do with, and you’ll be at my beck and call. Much better than being in Tristan’s captivity, if you ask me. I’m done being a nice guy, and I’ll never be a nice guy again.” I stormed away from the table and knocked over the glass of wine as I made my exit. I’d never felt so stupid in my life. If she didn’t love me, I could accept that. But to return home to her life like nothing happened infuriated me. I’d put everything on the line for this woman, and she wanted to leave me behind and forget about it.