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I should have asked her permission.

Bloody hell, I was doomed to keep making the same mistake—over and over.

Her laugh was a rough bark. “You might want to keep that in place for the future.”

She wasn’t mad? I sagged with relief. There would be time, later, to deal with this mess. I would lay everything before her, and never make a move without her explicit consent.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured.

“I forgive you.” Her soft smile nearly killed me.

I rested my hand on her belly, keeping her in place for one last moment. She was safe here. The moment we left the secluded cabin, it would be a constant battle to keep her alive.

That was a war I would not lose.

“When we return to Chicago, you will face this storm with me standing at your back. You know I can protect you, right?” I whispered.

The question was a statement, but I needed to hear her response.

Say it, baby.

Let me hear you say it.

“I do have bodyguards, Jaxon,” she teased, lazily running her fingers through my hair.

It was torture. A sweet and haunting torment.

“They can be bought,” I said fiercely. “I will bleed every drop of blood for you. I will fight to my last breath to give you your throne.”

Isabella’s fingers pulled free. Her touch trailed down to where the tee hid the first bandage.

“You already have been hurt because of me,” she whispered. There was sorrow lacing her voice.

I clasped her fingers in mine and brought them to my lips. “I am your soldier, Isabella. I will fight.”

“I know.” Her eyes were full of that trust I didn’t deserve. “And yes, I know that you can protect me. You’ll stay with me. I’ll introduce you to my men—” Her nose wrinkled. “But, Jaxon?”

“Hmm?” I murmured.

“They’re already suspicious. They didn’t find any background on you.” There were more questions lingering in her voice.

“I’m a ghost, bella.” I kissed her fingers again. “I don’t belong to any country. No organization holds a tie to me.”

“You were a stray.” Her head shook, and the smile returned to her lips. “But you belong to me now.”

I surged forward, capturing her lips with mine, unable to resist her claim. Yes, I belonged to her. Completely. Her mouth opened beneath mine, soft and yielding as I devoured her. The sweet taste of sleep still lingered on her tongue as it met mine in a dance that quickened my pulse. I growled low in my throat, deepening the kiss, sliding my hand behind her neck to pull her closer.

Dammit. Just one more night.

But we couldn’t stay. Her kingdom was in peril, and I needed to restore order.

Isabella’s fingers tangled in my hair, tugging with just enough force to send electricity down my spine. Her breath hitched as I nipped at her bottom lip, then soothed it with my tongue. The heat between us built rapidly, her body arching up from the bed to press against mine.

This was a different kind of torture: knowing that she longed for me, but that we had to leave our beautiful sanctuary.

We weren’t just a man and his woman.

I was a killer, and she was the queen who commanded my sword.