Page 68 of Scarred Ruin

“What happened?”

“A phone call. A warning. I should have followed my instincts, but I was fearful of losing her. There were no soldiers to protect her. No men to realize what was about to happen until it was too late. The doors of the house where she’d gone were blocked even before the fire was started. It burned hot from gasoline. They tried to escape through the windows but for security purposes, they had the old iron grates preventing anyone from entering.”

“Oh, my God.” She took a step closer, her breathing hitched.

“I made it there just before the building was engulfed, managing to break through one barrier and getting inside. I called out her name and her cry stilled me. I fought so hard to get to her, but the walls and ceiling were crumbling down over me. My men were actively trying to pull me out, telling me there was nothing that could be done. But I fought them. I fought them even as my skin seared and anguish roared through me. I just didn’t give a shit.”

“Maxsim,” she whispered.

As soon as I closed the distance, I sensed she was debating whether to run away.

“You did everything you could,” she offered as she continued studying my face, nodding as if that would help erase the agony and guilt.

“Sweet Isabel.” She didn’t flinch when I brushed hair from her face, but her lower lip was trembling. “Six women lost their lives that night. Six wives and daughters, mothers and friends because of a vendetta against my father that shifted to the firstborn son who’d only wanted a family and not a kingdom. Which is why I will protect you at all costs. This time, I will follow my instincts. Do you understand? Do you?”

My voice was raised when I hadn’t intended, the anger and pain almost too much to bear.

Isabel gripped my arm. “Yes, Maxsim, I do.”

Her voice was so soft. So comforting. Cocking my head, I slid the hair behind her ear, finishing by trailing my finger down the long line of her neck. “You are so beautiful.”

Very slowly, she dropped her arm.

“I should go.”

I didn’t respond.

A few seconds later, she backed away, her eyes never leaving mine. When the silence seemed interminable, she made a wide arc around me so I couldn’t stop her.

But I was too quick for her, taking a sideways long stride and grabbing her arm.

As I pulled her against me, she threw her head back, pressing her other hand against my chest.

“Just let me go, Maxsim.” Her eyes darted back and forth across mine. “I’m not Anastasia. I never will be.”

“No, you are not. You are a strong, vibrant woman who sends chills down my spine every day even when you’re mocking me. You challenge every goddamn thing I do to the point of making me crazy. Then you’ll offer that smile just like you’re doing right now. Coy. Cunning. You knew what you do to me and that thrills you. You are stunning without trying, leaving me breathless and incapable of thinking when I should be concentrating. You are not a replacement for my dead wife. You are so much more.”

“You have to let me go.” There was no conviction in her voice.

I lowered my head, taking a deep breath and savoring the lingering perfume that had already stained my skin. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Isabel, and you were wrong before.”

Being slow and deliberate with my actions, I fisted a handful of hair at the nape of her neck, pulling her against me.

“Why?”

She really needed me to answer that question?

“You’re not going anywhere. The reason is simple. Because as of now, you belong to me.”

CHAPTER 14

Isabel

Complex.

Irrational.

Amazing.