Page 120 of His to Keep
“Surprise!” Ithrowmy hands out wide, accidentally clipping her in the temple.
She cries out,and I rush her, brushing her hair away from her face to inspect the point of contact. “It’sonly a little red.You’llbe fine.”
“Please let me go,” she sobs.
“Let you go?” I tsk at her. “Petal, I can’t let you go. You’re mine, don’t you get it?”
She shakes her head, and I see red. “This is the start of our forever,” I shout. “Soon, you’ll be Scarlet Downeyand?—”
“Clint, stop, please,” she cuts me off, her voice goinghigher and higherwith each word.
“Do. Not.Interrupt. Me.” I bite off the words, seething.“A good bride is seen and not heard.”
“Bride?” It seems as pretty as sheis,Scarlet’s a little slow on the uptake.
“Haven’t you noticed your dress?”
Her eyes flare wide as she glances down, taking in the satin and tulle dress I had made for her.“You… dressed me?” Her delicate throat bobsas she inspects herself asbestshe can with her limited range of movement.
I groan as avision ofmecrushing her windpipe slams into me. Lucky for her, I shake off the urge.This is not the time for violence. Notyet.
“Of course.” I boop her nose. “Youcouldn’tvery well do itwhile you were sleeping. Now, we need to pack.We’realready behind schedule.”
“Behind schedule—” Her jaw snaps shut with an audible clack. “You know what,you’re…you’reright. You should, um, untie me so I can help you.”
I cast her a dubious look.
“We…” Her eyes slide left to right as she studies the tulle. “We have a-a lot of time to make up for, right?” she asks, and I nod. “And y-you said we were going to be late. So let… let me help.”
Silently, I weigh the pros and cons of untying her.I may as well. Worst case, I can sedate her again.
“Okay.” I move around to the back of the loveseat. “But, Petal, don’t make me regret this.”
“I-I won’t.”
She cradles her wrists to her chest once the ropes give way, massaging them toaid her circulation.
“There’s a suitcase in the closet,” Itellher. “Along with some clothes for you. Pack them all.”
She nodsand tries to stand, wobbling dangerously before regaining her balance. “Okay.”
I watch her like a hawk as she stumbles toward the closet.Luckilymy place is small and allows me to see herno matter what. MyPetalcan’thide from me here.
She’strying to hide the shaking of her hands as she rifles through the closet. “Are these...my clothes?”
“Mostly. I bought a few things, too.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders shake as she wraps her arms around herself. “Okay.”
She’scrying. Why is she crying? Itip my head to the side as I study her.She must be excited about the newclothes and overcome with gratitude.
“Youdon’tneed to cry, Petal. A few new outfits are the least of what I have planned for you.”I flick my eyes to the empty suitcase and clap my hands together twice and order, “Get to packing.”
“Sorry.”She rips a shirt off the hanger and throws it into the open suitcase.
“Neatly, Scarlet.” My voice cracks like a whip through the small space.
Shevisibly recoils before bending at the waist to retrieve the shirt, returning it to the suitcase after folding itnice and tidy.
