Page 34 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

And smells like man and spice and him.

I curl into it as I stare out the window, watching the world go by. It doesn’t take long to reach the penthouse, but as we park and get out, exhaustion has settled into my bones and pain is nipping at my heels.

“Let’s go,” the driver says, pulling open my door.

Thorn falls in beside me and a moment later, we’re inside, all riding up in the private elevator together.

The doors open and the men step off, fanning out.

“Stay here,” the driver orders. “We’ll make sure it’s clear.”

Thorn nods…just as Violet comes sprinting over, claws scrabbling on the floor.

“Meow!”

A startled laugh bursts out of me before I can stop it.

Thorn freezes instantly beside me.

I crouch as Violet launches herself against my legs, demanding my full attention. “Hi, baby,” I whisper shakily, stroking my hand over her silky soft fur. She starts purring and I cuddle her close.

“River,” Thorn begins.

“All clear,” the driver says. “We’ll keep watch downstairs.”

“Go on then.”

They slip out and he follows them toward the panel, doing something to the elevator before turning back to me. “You’ll be safe now,” he says quietly.

“I’m know.”

Violet rubs her head against my chin then jumps out of my arms and I stand.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers.

My mouth drops open. “What can you possibly have to be sorry for?”

“It’s my fault.” He swallows. “You being taken.”

I frown. “How can it possibly be your fault?”

He reaches up slowly, pauses with his fingers an inch from my uninjured cheek. Silently asking for permission to touch me. Silently giving me the opportunity to say no.

I lean in, press my cheek to his fingertips.

He shifts, cupping my jaw, and I feel the warm roughness of his palm in my soul.

“You came for me,” I whisper.

Pain flashes visibly across his face. “I should’ve stopped them from taking you in the first place.” The raw self-hatred in those words steals my breath but before I can ask him what that means, he says, “They came after you because of me.”

“Wh-what?”

His jaw tightens. “They took you because of me.” A beat. “Who I was. Who I am.”

“Who were you?” I whisper. “Who are you?”

Emotion ripples through his expression and he exhales softly. “A monster.”