Page 280 of Fatality

The woman's expression shifts from shock to utter disbelief.

Mine probably isn't much better. I'm still trying to process what she said... And what he just did.

Before I can say anything, he guides me away by the back of my neck.

My heartbeat refuses to slow.

The words echo louder than the music ever could—because she's fucking taken.

I don't even know what that means, especially coming from him.

Why does my chest hurt?

It's like I want to kick my feet and giggle like a teenager.

My father takes a step forward, no doubt intending to stop him, but my mother catches his arm.

Evren shoulders a side door open and keeps walking—striding—without looking back.

His grip hurts but for once, I don't complain, don't insult him nor hit him.

He just saved me from a potential wedding I don’t want.

We walk through corridor after corridor, turning so many times I lose all sense of direction before he finally stops.

He's probably being guided by Ren.

He releases me abruptly and drops into a crouch, reaches inside his jacket, he pulls out a device—the device.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

I'd forgotten about it.

For a moment, I wasn't here on a mission, I was just a woman at a ball, being forced into an arranged marriage.

He doesn't even look at me.

He shoves it into a nearby outlet with unnecessary force, nearly ripping the socket out of the wall.

“Fucking rich people...” he mutters.

Once the device is plugged in, he stands and curls his hands into fists.

“Ren says it'll kick in within a minute.” He pauses before finally looking at me. “Why the fuck didn't you say anything?”

“What?”

“To that old hag!” he snaps.

“What was I supposed to say? I was in shock!” I snap back. “You think I want to get married against my will? No!”

“You could've been yourself and told her to go fuck herself!” A beat passes, and his eyes begin to glow. “You can't let them take you away from me.”

He cups my cheeks and leans in, his forehead dropping against mine, breathing heavily.

The lights abruptly cut out.

The only thing I can see is the eerie glow of his eyes.