Page 150 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“You love her,” he stated at last.

I didn’t say a word. My face was void of all emotion.

“Fine, don’t answer. But if you have feelings for my daughter, you will get over them.”

Something dark settled in my chest. The rage was swept aside for resolve, which was far deadlier for a man like me. He didn’t decide who I loved. I was a soldier. I had spent my life following orders. But my heart and soul were mine to govern. And they belonged to one person. And one person only.

“You will never control my emotions. Threaten me, punish me, kill me…I don’t care. My heart will remain off limits to you.”

“I give the orders concerning my family. Despite her disobedience, Kaylani is my daughter and under my authority. She will not end up married to the likes of a mere soldier.”

If he knew the truth, we wouldn’t be speaking right now. I would already be dead.

“You have a strange way of showing affection.”

My patience had begun to fray.

“Kaylani will marry a man of my choosing. A man who can provide for her and keep her in the life to which she is accustomed. She won’t be with someone who comes from nothing,” he sneered, looking me up and down like I was trash. “A beggar. Just like his father.”

I closed the distance between us until we were nearly chest to chest.

“My father never begged for anything. He was a loyal, hard-working man. We may not come from great means, but my family has always stood for honor.” My voice dropped lower. “Mention my father again, and I promise you, I’ll do something that neither of us walks away from.”

For the first time, Dimitri looked nervous. He glanced toward the glass. I knew someone was watching. His guards, Ronan, or the officers. It didn’t matter who. What mattered was that he understood the lengths I would go to protect my family, including Kaylani.

“She humiliates herself by loving you. I won’t allow it.”

The words hit with more force than anything else ever could.

“You’re wrong. You humiliate yourself, and you’re about to lose her love forever.”

His expression shifted, his lips curled, and I wanted to wipe the smirk right off his face.

“We’ll see.” He stepped back, which was a small victory. “You will be released.”

That stopped me.

“Why?”

“Because I allow it.”

I narrowed my eyes, studying him. Something was wrong. Dimitri wasn’t merciful. He certainly didn’t forgive betrayal. There was a motive here. I just couldn’t see it yet.

“And what about Kaylani?”

Dimitri paused, smoothing the front of his suit.

“She made her decision and has already been released.”

I froze.

“What decision?”

Dimitri didn’t answer. He turned to leave, presenting me his back like he knew I wouldn’t dare kill him in here. He knocked, and as the guards let him out, he looked over his shoulder at me.

“If you truly care for her, you will let her go.”

The door shut behind him.