A year of knowing she's out there, possibly fucking other men, possibly forgetting me, possibly moving on.
The thought makes me want to destroy something.
Makes me want to lock her in my bedroom and never let her leave.
"She's dangerous, Cassius. You know that."
"Everything dangerous can be controlled with the right leverage."
"And what leverage do you have over her?"
"She loves me."
The words slip out before I can stop them.
Vincent is silent for a long moment. "Does she? Or does she love what you do to her?"
"Does it matter?"
"It does if she finds out the truth. Love can turn to hate very quickly."
"Then I'll make sure she never finds out."
"Secrets have a way of surfacing. Especially ones this big."
"Not this one."
Vincent laughs, but there's no humor in it. "Your father would have killed her just to eliminate the risk."
"I'm not my father."
"No. You're worse. He was cruel but practical. You're cruel and sentimental."
I hang up on him.
Through the monitor, I watch Selene stand, smooth down the wrinkled dress.
She moves to the mirror, studies herself.
Touches the collar.
Then she does something that makes my chest tighten.
She kneels.
Right there, alone in the room, she assumes the position I taught her.
Perfect form.
And she stays there, waiting.
For me.
I shouldn't go back.
I should let her kneel until she realizes I'm not coming, then leave.
Make this a clean break.
