Page 95 of Glutton for Punishment

My eyes fly to his in surprise.

“Now that news of her power is out, her exile won’t be difficult to overturn….” His gaze pins me in place. “On one condition. You will stay away from her.”

My breath hitches as if the air has turned to stone. A cold void opens in my chest, and my tongue feels like sand against the roof of my mouth.

“You will interact only when absolutely necessary. You will not pursue her or court her. And you will not complete the bond.” His expression hardens. “And if I hear otherwise, this arrangement ends… and so does she.”

My mind is reeling, processing the words. It will be just like before. The same as last year’s torture. Watching her from across the room, pretending indifference to everyone.

Keeping distance while every instinct screams otherwise.

My father studies my face. “Well?”

Arwen’s face flashes in my mind. She’s safe for now. But Gluttony is not stable. I know firsthand the horrors of the Mafia family.

She must go back to the academy. Even if it means losing the right to stand beside her. Her safety has to come first.

“…I agree.” The words scrape on the way out.

Father nods once, satisfied. “Good. Then perhaps there is hope for you yet.”

I can barely hear him over my misery. Because all I can think is that I have just traded the thing I want most for the only way I know to keep her alive.

Chapter 27

Maddox

Aside from the fact that Arwen’s power is no longer a secret, I wake feeling the best I have in years after having her next to me all night.

She builds a damn fortress out of pillows when she sleeps—like she’s still expecting something to come at her. Doesn’t matter. Even with all that, I kept a hand on her hip. For now, that’s enough.

I pull my shirt over my head and glance toward the bed.

Arwen sits cross-legged in the middle of the sheets, thumb pressed against her lip as she stares at her new phone. I’m not in the habit of reading over people’s shoulders, but the message on her screen is impossible to miss.

Tabby: Did you fuck yet?

I choke on a laugh as Arwen furiously types back.

Arwen: If you keep asking, I will never tell you when I do.

A second later, Tabby sends back a sad face.

Another huff slips out before I can stop it…. not used to laughing, I guess.

Arwen whirls around, catches me before I can avert my eyes, and her face goes the most adorable shade of scarlet.

“You saw nothing,” she says, pulling the phone against her chest.

“I saw nothing,” I echo, already turning toward the table where my weapons rest. That it’s even being discussed as a future option tests my restraint. I want all of her. But I’ll take whatever she’s ready for and be grateful for it. Even if lying beside her last night nearly killed me before I finally fell asleep.

I mean… I even considered a cold shower at one point.

But I didn’t move. Didn’t want to miss a second of having her there.

The bond hums low and satisfied in my chest as I fasten my holster and turn back toward her.

“We’re going to see Duval today. He’s in the Iron Gut Quarter… if you think you’re up to it?”