Page 57 of The Vixen

I tug his hand down my chest and push onto my toes, but before I can kiss him, he turns his head.

He pulls away, hand retreating as he avoids my eyes.

“I shouldn’t distract you,” he says before forcing himself to look at me.

Something sharp and heavy settles in the pit of my stomach, but I don’t allow my posture to fall. My chin doesn’t lower. Thorne would think me weak if I let it.

He clears his throat when the silence lasts a beat too long. He nods toward my computer. “I think we should start looking into the viper.”

Breathe.

Don’t hesitate.

“You should call her Liberty… Your contempt will bleed into your interactions with her.”

Thorne’s only response is a jaw tic.

“We can’t use my computer. It’s being monitored.”

His brows raise. “What?”

“As of two hours ago…” I wave my hand to the screen. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be giving that soulless creature a moment’s attention.”

Thorne glimpses the screen. “Why would Aurelius?—”

“Because he can, Thorne. He can and he will. He has a vision of what kind of man we should welcome into our home, and I’ve been too stubborn to accept that… It’s his opinion that ultimately matters.”

Not mine.

I cup my hands in front of me and try to shove bitterness away when it bites at my nostrils, willing them to flare. In truth,this is a merciful punishment. I’ve been given leniency no one in the Shadow Sanctum could ever dream of.

I’ve forgotten my place. Father believes it’s time I’m reminded of it.

“Youropinion is the one that matters to me,” Thorne says, his eyes too serious, his jaw too square. He’s speaking words too dangerous for either of us to entertain. “Your opinion is the one that matters most toall, including whoever is monitoring your computer.”

“Then I hope they’ll show me mercy when they see I’ve been on the same page for half an hour.”

“Luna, this?—”

I press my palm over Thorne’s mouth while softening my expression. “Stop, my love… Please. It’s hard enough.”

His face morphs from angry to remorseful, his clenched jaw releasing. I remove my hand and nod at the door. “Forget computers. I don’t want this being brought to Father’s attention. Just try to get the information out of the woman.”

“Liberty,” Thorne corrects. His lips pull into a half-hearted smile.

I nod. “Be friendly to her… Don’t be afraid to bond over your mutual hatred for her former captor, and be sure to make it clear he’s the reason she’s here. In the morning, tell her he managed to talk his way out of his execution. Tell her he has me eating out of his palm or whatever everyone is saying. Show your concern for me and hatred for him. If she tries to manipulate you, let her, to an extent.”

He looks off for a moment, considering my words, but then nods. “Okay… Whatever you want.” Tilting my chin up, he bends to kiss me, then backs up a step.

“Do you want some company while you work?”

“No… Thank you. I should concentrate.”

He gives me a tight smile. “Okay… See you tomorrow?”

“First thing.”

He nods before turning and heading for the door. He stops to look at me before opening it. “I love you.”