Chapter 190

Audrey

"Wait, what?" I dug my heels in, my shoes scraping on the marble floors of the

museum, as Edwin ushered me toward the exit. "I don't want to go."

"I'm sorry, but we have to," Edwin insisted. "Fiona cannot be trusted. I don't want to risk you getting hurt by her again."

"But Edwin-"

"No buts. We're leaving. Now."

I felt hot tears p**k at the backs of my eyes as we got back into the car and drove. away from the museum. The beautiful dresses, the inspiration I had been feeling, the brief moment of normalcy-all of it was slipping away.

So fast. Too soon.

"I promise we'll go on another date soon," Edwin said, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. "Somewhere safer."

I was too upset to respond, turning to stare out the window instead. The city lights. blurred as we sped through the streets, although whether from the speed or the tears in my eyes, I couldn't tell.

Back at the apartment, Edwin locked the door tightly behind us, the multiple clicks of the deadbolt echoing in the quiet space. He moved through the rooms like he was on a mission, checking and securing all the windows even though he normally left them open to let in the fresh air.

"Edwin," I said as I followed him from room to room, "why are you acting like this? Fiona had guards with her. She has a tracker in her phone. She's under constant surveillance. It's very unlikely she's a threat anymore, at least until her sentence is over.

Edwin turned to me, his eyes dark with worry. "We can't be too sure of that, Audrey. I think Fiona might be up to something. She might still be in communication with Coldclaw. Showing up like that, out of the blue.. For all we know, she's feeding them. your location as we speak."

I sighed as I watched him run to another window, lock it tightly, and snap the curtains shut.

"Don't you think you're being a bit paranoid?" I asked. "We're back in the city now, not 1/4

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alone. And I still do combat training four times a week with you. Sure, I can't

you. Can you promise me you'll stay by my side for a while?

concern there, concern that thrummed down our bond as well, hot and heavy. I had to physically resist the pull of his memories, knowing that I might

hands up in the air. "I'll

a warm kiss against the top of my head. "I promise

how true that really

following week, Edwin stayed true to his word. He remained by my side at almost all times, dropping me off and picking me up from every class I attended. The only time I was out of his sight was when

he was worried-terrified, even, that I might be taken from him again like the night of Claudia's birthday. I knew that the visions I'd had of

turned into two, I began to feel stifled. The constant supervision, the lack of personal space-it was all adding to my already high stress levels. Even simple tasks like going to the library or grabbing coffee between classes became complicated. ordeals. I didn't see my friends, hardly even had

a special dinner, setting up candles on the table. The apartment smelled like delicious food and wine. He

on the surface, I was. I put on a smile and sent love and affection down the bond.

watched a movie, snuggled up together beneath a blanket on

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Chapter 10

rolled, Edwin leaned in to kiss me,

His hands roamed my body, leaving trails of heat in their wake. We began to make

to forget about the stress and tension. of the past week. For a moment, it worked. The feel of his skin against mi, the familiar rhythm of our bodies moving together, the sensation of his warm member

about to reach my peak, something

turning the faucet and nothing more than

coming out.

parted in pleasure. But I stopped, unable to hide the crease between my brows. "Come for me," Edwin murmured into my car,

gently pushing at his chest. My voice sounded strained even town ears. "I'm sorry, I need

face. His chest heaved as he caught his breath, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his skin. "What's wrong?

warm, the blanket too close around our bodies. "No, it's not that. I'm just...

and it made it impossible to finish. But I couldn't bring myself to tell him

stuck with the simple explanation: I was

disappointment in his voice. He gently pulled out of me and planted a kiss against my lips. "I understand."

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