“No. Javier, don’t do this. Please don’t push me. I can’t.”
“You won’t.”
“I can’t. I’m not ready to talk about any of this. I can’t get anyone else involved.”
“Too late for that.”
“Joaquin isn’t in here making a fuss.”
“But he noticed the bruises too.”
“I don’t doubt that he did, but he’s minding his own business.”
I keep my left arm around her waist as my right hand tips her chin up. Our gazes search each other, and I’ve never wanted to kiss a woman so much in my life. I even think she might accept one if I offered. But she’s a woman with bruises and secrets. That usually means one thing. Having a man take advantage of her when she’s clearly vulnerable would be a move too despicable for even me.
“Madeline, I gave you a choice. You tell me the truth, or you get a shadow. You just made your decision, now you must live with that.”
“No.”
She tries to shake her head, but I’m still holding her chin. I pinch enough to keep her from moving, but not enough to hurt her.
“You can tell me no about any and everything. I’ll listen to you every time. But I’ll ignore it every time for your protection. You cannot convince me otherwise.”
“I’m safe, Javi. I’m not in that situation anymore. Let it go.”
“Is he dead?”
She goes rigid once more.
“Did you kill him, Madeline?”
She swallows before she shakes her head, and I let her.
“Did someone else kill him?”
She shakes her head again.
“Then whatever it was still is. You might not be in the same room as whoever this man is, but any man who’d harm you, likeI believe this shitbag did, is a man who had complete control of you. That’s the only way it could’ve happened. He’s not a man who will just let you go. He will hunt you, won’t he?”
Her expression doesn’t change except for something in her eyes. I see it. She wants to appear defiant by not answering, but she’s crumbling inside.
“You are going to leave this restroom and go back to your family. You’re going to say a friend called, and you’re going to head back to your parents’ place to change. I’m certainTíoEnrique andTíaElodie already left for their honeymoon, so you don’t have to stay. One of the Kutsenkos’ men will drive you home. You will let me in the house when I knock on the back door.”
“No!”
“Yes, Maddy. You will tell me absolutely everything.”
“No. I’ll turn the alarm back on, and I won’t let you in. And I’m not going home unless I’m with my parents. You can’t make me do any of this, Javi. Don’t force me.”
That’s a bucket of ice over me.
“Then tell Maks and his family what’s going on. If you don’t, I will. You need protection, Maddy. I’ll never force you. That’s the last thing I want. But I willnotback down. I kept your secret the first time, and it was against my better judgment back then. There were hours every day when I feared for you because I couldn’t be close to you. I couldn’t get to you if you’d needed me. I can be there now if you’ll let me. If you won’t, then it’ll be a bratva man who is.”
“What? Are you going to order Maks to give me guards? That would go over so damn well.”
“The moment I tell him someone hurt you and is likely hunting you, Laura won’t let you out of her sight. Do you want to be under house arrest with Laura and Maks as your wardens—never mind your mom and dad—or do you want freedom to come and go with me as just your shadow?”
“You’re manipulating me, Javier. I don’t appreciate it.”
