Page 310 of Black Reign

Smart.

She paces once across the study.

Then turns.

“You would marry me to stop him from taking me?”

“Yes.”

“Just like that?”

No.

Not just like that.

Because I'm already in love with you.

Because I was halfway there before I knew your name.

Because last night I learned the woman I've wanted for years curls against me when she sleeps and snores softly into my pillow.

Because I would rather blow apart half my inheritance than watch Blackwell make you afraid again.

I say none of it.

Instead:

“It solves several immediate problems.”

Sabine's mouth drops open.

Wrong answer.

Very wrong answer.

“Several immediate⁠—”

“I heard it.”

“Do you propose often?”

“Never.”

“That explains a great deal.”

“Sabine.”

She points at me.

“No. You do not get to turn marriage into cybersecurity.”

“It's more legal architecture.”

Her eyes close.

I may be making this worse.

Then something unexpected happens.