Chapter 18 · He Turned So Fast My Back Hit the Wall

He turned so fast my back hit the wall.

Kane planted one hand beside my head. His other hand stayed clenched at his side, the knuckles split and white.

“Careful,” he said.

His breath brushed my cheek. Warm. Controlled. Too close for a man who claimed he wanted nothing from me.

I lifted my chin. “Or what? You’ll order me out? Void the marriage? Tell me I’m only useful when I’m bleeding all over your problems?”

His eyes hardened. “I’ve never said that.”

“You don’t have to. You look at me like I’m a weapon every time the contract pulls you toward me.”

“I look at you like you’re in danger.”

“Right. And I’m supposed to thank you for keeping me trapped?”

The muscle in his jaw jumped.

His gaze dropped to the mark wrapped around my wrist. Silver lines pulsed beneath my skin, hot enough to sting.

“You think I want this?” he asked.

“I think you want the power it gives you.”

“The contract gives me nothing.”

“It gives you protection from the council. Access to my blood. A wife who can hear what your enemies are hiding.