Page 48 of The Billionaire’s Contract Bride

“He received instructions through an encrypted server,” Damien said. “The payment originated from a Blackthorne logistics subsidiary that Victor controls.”

“So your uncle did it.”

“Or someone wants me to believe he did.”

Damien reached past her for a glass. The movement brought his chest inches from her shoulder. Aria knew she should step away, but her feet remained planted.

“You locked me in my room,” she said softly.

“Yes.”

“Do it again and I will leave. I don’t care what happens to the contract.”

“If the choice is between your anger and your funeral, Aria, I will endure your anger every single time,” he murmured, still reaching for the glass, still in her space.

“That isn’t protection, Damien. It’s control.”

“Protection without control is nothing more than a prayer.”

“I am not something you can lock in a gilded box!”

His gray eyes hardened, dropping to the black diamond on her left hand as he finally pulled away. “You are my wife.”

“For three hundred and sixty-four more days.”

Damien’s hand closed around the crystal glass with violent suddenness. The glass shattered in his palm. Blood welled up around the sharp shards.

Aria caught his wrist before he could pull away. “Stop!”

He stared down at her fingers gripping his skin, his breath heavy and tight.

“Let me see,” she demanded.

“It’s nothing.”

“You’re bleeding all over the floor.”

She pulled him toward the counter, carefully picking out the broken shards of crystal. Helena appeared in the doorway with a first-aid kit, took one silent look at the two of them, set the box down, and withdrew without a word.

Aria cleansed the cut with antiseptics. Damien watched her face the entire time, unblinking.

“Why were you following me fourteen months ago?” she asked softly.

“Your father.”

“That isn’t enough.” Aria refused to let her voice crack. She kept her eyes on his hand as he worked, scared of what she would, or wouldn’t, see in his eyes.

“It is what I can give you tonight.”

“And tomorrow?”

“Perhaps more.”

She wrapped a sterile gauze tightly around his palm. “Celeste told Vivian you gave her a way out.”

“She begged for one.”

“Would you give me one?”