Page 80 of Scarred Ruin

“Because they just so happened to think, hmmm… My guess is the powerful family will be out on the street at this time and at this location.”

He finally accepted the black fabric, sliding it over his face. “Better?”

I took a step away, walking backwards. “It’s a start.”

“You don’t understand the lengths my enemies will go to.”

“You’re right. I don’t. What I do know is that if your life is all about hiding just in case, that’s not living. And yes, I do know what I’m talking about. If your enemy is coming for you, they likely won’t do it in a crowd of people. Too messy and too many people with cameras eager and willing to dissect the event and toss it on whatever social media platform.”

The way he thought about my idea was indicative of his tough personality. “I will try and relax, including when we’re out as long as you promise to obey my rules.”

“Which are?”

“You stay close and don’t try and run away from me. If anything happens, my men will know what to do and will die to protect you.”

For whatever reason, his statement hit me hard. “I’m merely your architect. Why would you even consider asking any of them to place their lives on the line for me?”

As Mina ran into another store, he backed me away from the crowd and against an exterior wall. Every time he crowded my space, my entire system formed knots. “Haven’t you figured out by now you are far more than just my architect?”

He pinched my chin with two fingers, lowering his head. “What am I?” I wasn’t certain I was ready to hear the answer.

“Someone very important to me. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

I pressed my hand on his chest. “And it won’t.” While I kept my voice down so sweet little ears wouldn’t overhear our conversation, I wasn’t about to stop talking. “You terrify everyone. Have you noticed that?”

“Who’s everyone?”

“Look around you, Maxsim. Just about everyone is making a wide berth around us.”

“It’s my costume.” He was teasing of course.

“Well, you could double as some wayward biker, but that’s not why and you know it. You’ve pigeonholed yourself into being the prince of darkness.”

“It’s Halloween.”

“Even when it’s not Halloween.” I offered a not so kind snarl that I hope he overheard. “I’m serious. People are frightened of you and your men.”

Where he’d been teasing before, the light in his eyes drifted into the same darkness I’d just mentioned. “Are you frightened of me?”

“Don’t do that. No, I am not frightened of you, but only because you finally shoved aside the armor you’re always wearing and let me in.”

“I can’t do that with everyone, Isabel. Not in my world, and I know you’re going to say that I can change it, but that’s not possible.”

I don’t know what I was trying to do or if I was asking him to give up his world when I wasn’t certain I wanted to be a part of it.

“What I’m trying to say to you is that I refuse to let my guard down. That’s unacceptable and reckless. There’s also too much at stake in my business.”

“I understand and you need to handle your business the way that’s required to help you sleep at night, but I’m not programmed the same way. I need normalcy.”

“What do you consider normal, Isabel?”

“I don’t know. Coming home from work and having a glass of wine while listening to some music and not noticing men in suits standing outside my window. Going to Sunday brunch with friends without feeling as if I need to ask two guys I barely know if they’re hungry.” His face was pinched as if what I was suggesting was distasteful. I popped him in the stomach. “And going out on a date that doesn’t feel like a reverse harem story.”

“A what?”

“You wouldn’t understand. Eat your Snickers bar.”

His growl meant he was lightening up. Maybe. “Is that what we’re doing? We’re on a date?”