Page 27 of Punishing His Runaway Bride
She looked at me for a long time. Too much was happening in those green eyes—anger, struggle, something else. A tiredness so deep I couldn't measure it.
"What if I refuse?"
"Then you and your sister," I said, my voice soft, "don't get protected anymore. Castro keeps coming for his money. You keeppaying, if you can find work. Colonna might want to have a chat about that night. And me, I'm done. I'm out."
Her eyes went red.
"You're threatening me."
"I'm giving you a choice."
She looked down. Didn't speak for a long time. I watched her shoulders shake, barely, but she bit her lip to keep from making a sound. I had this sudden urge to touch her, pull her against me. The thought came out of nowhere and made no sense. I clenched my fists and didn't move.
"Sophie," she finally spoke, voice hoarse. "You promise she's safe?"
"I promise."
"She can keep going to school? She doesn't have to hide?"
"She can."
"Those people collecting debts—they won't come near her again?"
"Never."
She looked up. Tears were swimming in her eyes but she wouldn't let them fall. Those eyes were red, looking at me like she was searching for something—I didn't know what, and I didn't know if I had it.
"Okay," she said.
That word came out quiet, almost didn't hear it.
"What?"
"Okay." Louder this time, but still hoarse. "I'll do it."
I watched her. Her jaw locked, spine rigid, like a string pulled to the breaking point. Already defeated but refusing to show it any other way. That image did something to my throat.
"But," she continued, "I have conditions."
"Say them."
"Before the baby comes, I need a room with a window. Somewhere I can see sunlight."
"Done."
"Every week I call Sophie. She can come see me."
I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Of course."
She nodded, looked down at her hands. They were thin, knuckles prominent, fingers callused thick.
"And," she said suddenly, her voice even quieter, "that night..."
She didn't finish.
I waited a few seconds.
"That night what?"
