Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

227. Olivia - Embracing III

Rubbing the back of his neck, Jasper continues talking, "My demon is stronger than Rueben's. I have a Leviathan, while Rueben has a Belial." I don't understand demon ranking, but I don't interrupt Jasper. "But I let Rueben lead because it was my mistake that led to the death of Samir and Iago and I don't trust myself not to repeat the past. Besides, with my bad knee, I barely go on missions these days." He frowns. "What I wanted to say is that I have fallen into a routine where I let others make all the important decisions. I even trusted that Rueben would find a woman who would want to be with us. After my past experiences, I was content just to sit around and wait. Until this past Christmas, when I wanted to give Rueben a present."

"Me."

"Yes. I didn't know it was going to be you but a woman who would have no choice but to marry us."

"Because said woman would have become your property."

Jasper nods. "Yeah. I see how wrong that was. Even if it breaks me, I want you to know that you are free to go whenever you want."

My eyebrows inch up. "You are letting me go?"

"Yeah."

"What about the sex tapes?" I inquire.

"We will find another way to take down your father."

I take a step towards Jasper. "Why are you letting me go?"

"Because we hurt you."

but at the same time, they treated me better than I had been in years. "Why are *you*

"Because I failed you."

to bond

question takes Jasper by

want to

falling in love with

but it's not enough to drop my panties for him. Or to bond

is not enough. Not anymore. Let's

a sweater and a pair of jeans that I chose without expecting Jasper or the others would do it for me. Was it hard? Fuck yeah, because I kept thinking that I would be hit if I chose the wrong color or something the guys didn't like. But then I reminded myself that I want to stand on my

at the table while Tyson is putting ice cream in a

the table

other one," Jasper

needed firewood," Ansel mutters. Running his fingers through his hair, he adds, "Olly,

on a chair at the table. If I want to be respected, I need to respect myself first. The bond lets me know Ansel is not pleased with me right now. He can suck it up, I guess.

you like

ribs and forced a bond on me." Mose is next. "Being spanked by you caused me more pain than any punishment I've received before that." I exhale loudly before saying to Tyson, "You are not worth my time." Reuben is last. "Your word means nothing to me. You promised promised me you would kill me. But you are forcing me to

it either. Not only that, but they didn't even interrupt me or punish me. I guess I can say what's on my mind whenever I

I do to help?"

instinct is to say I can do this on my own, but not for