I shifted on my feet, uncomfortable everyone could feel us when we were together. Experience it with us.
“Don’t be embarrassed.” She lifted her eyebrow coyly. “I don’t want to know how it’s possible for you guys to create that, but luv, if fucking that man is half of what we experienced out here, you should be singing in the clouds someplace. I know I would. I’m impressed you’re walking this morning.”
I snorted, my palm brushing back my hair, knowing I was still covered in him, inside and out. “Again, I’m sorry. What I said was cruel. And it’s not how I look at you. Maybe before I came here, my mind was limited to what I thought right and wrong were, but you actually changed me. Getting to know you... you opened my eyes, became one of my dearest friends. And to me, that means everything.”
Her lashes fluttered with emotion. “Me too.” She hugged me, trying not to cry again, but failed. She pulled back, dabbing at her tears again. “I can’t believe he’s here. Part of me hoped he really was dead.”
“He’s part of the gang, the Hounds.”
“The Hounds?” she sputtered, her reaction telling me she knew exactly who they were. Not many wouldn’t in Savage Lands. They had become infamous, even in Léopold. “Vincent is part of that ruthless, murdering gang? Are you taking the piss?”
“Unfortunately not.” I wiggled my jaw, still feeling the bruise there. “And last night, Warwick and I were attacked by them. Vincent was wounded, but the rest of them got away. They took something of mine. Something very important to me that I need back.”
A weariness slanted her lids, understanding there was more to it.
“I would never ask this of you... ever... but this is extremely vital.” I pressed my hands together, already begging. “He said he will only talk to you.”
“No.” She shook her head, stepping back. “No... I won’t be anywhere near him.”
“Rosie...”
“No!” she exclaimed. “Just being this close is twisting me into knots. I don’t want anything to do with him.”
My head dropped, bobbing in understanding. I couldn’t make her do it. She spent many years tormented by him; I couldn’t throw her back in it again.
“I understand.”
She folded her arms across her torso. “He hurt me so much. I had nightmares for years of him finding me again. I can’t let him do it to me again.”
“I can’t force you. I’m sorry I asked it of you.” I squeezed her arm, shifting back for the room. “But if you think he’s not still controlling you?” I motioned to her. “He probably always will. You are letting him still have too much power over you.”
My feet strummed over the floor, my back to her, almost across the living room.
“Wait.” She exhaled deeply, curving my head over my shoulder. “You’re right.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I will do whatever you need me to. For you.”
“If you are going to do this, Rosie, do it for yourself, not me. Don’t let him own any more of you.”
“Nin-a,” he whispered, a smile curving his face the moment we both re-entered the room. Warwick was against the wall, there to guard us but wanting to stay out of our way.
Rosie stiffened at the name. Inhaling, she rolled her shoulders back. “I told you, Nina is dead.”
“No, don’t say that, mon chéri.” Now I realized what his almost negligible accent was. French. “I’ve missed you so much. I can’t believe the gods have brought you back into my life.”
“No, the devils brought you back into mine.”
“Nina, my love—”
“You wanted me here. I’m here. Now tell them where the location of your gang is.” She folded her arms.
“Explain to me why you are here first.” He bristled. “How you could open your legs for other men, become a common whore?”
“Shut the fuck up,” she spat. His eyes went huge at her response, probably not used to her fighting back. “Do not call me that ever again. If you do, I will walk out of here and never look back. Let them do whatever they want to you.” She stood over him, her voice cold and direct.
“You left me in squalor with your debts and crimes to pay off like the coward you are. I was beaten, tortured, and raped by the men you owed before Madam saved me. Here I am safe, fed, and protected from assholes like you. I have friends and independence. I choose who I want to sleep with, have my own money, and do what I want. I have finally paid off your debts, and I continue to stay because this is my home. My family. I have more here than I ever had with you.” She sneered at him, the years of anger flooding out. “So, you don’t get to judge me. You don’t get to say a fucking word to me unless it’s the whereabouts of your hideout. Do you understand me?”
He blinked, too stunned to move. The notorious, feared bandit was nothing more than a bully getting schooled. As if he were really seeing her, noticing the wife he knew, Nina, was nowhere to be seen now.
The English rose, the fiery bombshell, took the shambles he left her in and thrived. Grew thorns, becoming the strong woman she was today.
“I shouldn’t be surprised you became part of a gang who murders people for trinkets.”
“We are just trying to survive.” He justified himself.
“So are the people you attack,” she retaliated. “You are still a tyrant.”
“I’m not like that anymore. I’ve changed.” He tried to touch her again but drew back when she moved away from him. “I know it’s hard to believe, and I know the things I’ve done. For years, all I wanted was to see you again, to make it right. I thought I would never have the chance.”
“And you still won’t. You can never make it right.” Rosie sneered. “You don’t get to ease your conscience. Though, I don’t hate you. Hate means I feel something about you. I won’t give you power anymore. You are nothing to me.”
I saw pain and anger in his eyes. It was in that moment I knew. She was his Achilles heel, his weakness. He thrived off controlling her, manipulating her. He could kill, rob, and terrorize others and come home and say he was doing it all for her. That when he beat her, it was because she made him do it.
He needed his drug.
She did not need him. And it angered him.
His cheeks reddened, his expression locking down.
“You fucking ungrateful bitch,” he lashed out. “I gave you everything. A home, nice clothes, an allowance, flowers every day.”
“Except the most important thing—love.” She tucked her red hair behind her ear, looking powerful. As if she just discovered the monster in her closet was nothing more than a stuffed animal. “Where is your hideout, Vincent?”
“I’m not telling you shit. Fucking kurva.” Whore. Slut.
I felt Warwick move, but he was too late. The knife I shoved back in my boot was already pinned to Vincent’s throat.
“You utter one more insult at her, and I will cut off your dick and force you to eat it.” I pushed down on his wound again.
An anguished cry tore from him.
“Talk,” I ordered.
Spitting and snarling, he tried to breathe through the agony, his jaw grinding together. Perspiration ran down his face.