Page 146 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“You can’t.” My voice broke. “You can’t do that to him. He did nothing wrong.”

“I can. And I will.”

Lunging forward, I slammed my palms onto the table.

“You were the one who stole Atlas,” I hissed. “You gave him to me, then took him when it would hurt me the most. You started this. Did you think I wouldn’t retaliate?”

He didn’t blink.

“I expected you to do as you were told. I will make it look like Goran planned the theft. You were frightened. Coerced. Innocent.”

My stomach dropped.

“No,” I whispered.

“Yes.” His face was void of all emotion. “And that is only the beginning.”

My breath caught. I finally saw what Nathaniel and Titus had seen. The monster hiding behind the mask of family.

“Goran fought back and struck multiple officers.” His words were smug.

A wave of dizziness washed over me.

“He didn’t have a choice,” I snapped. “They were hurting me. He’s trained to protect me.”

“That does not matter. He will be charged with assault and having a weapon on his person without a permit to carry a concealed weapon. It will be years before he ever sees the light of day again.”

“That’s all lies.” My knees threatened to give out, and I dropped onto the chair. “You’re lying to condemn a man for doing nothing but his job.”

“I’m not. You are.”

I stared at him, trying to find cracks in his armor, but there were none. He stood, the chair grating on the floor like a judge’s verdict.

“If you agree to marry whom I choose, I will make sure Goran spends no time in prison. You will be free to compete with Atlas as much or as little as you like. I’ll sign him over to you.”

My throat closed. My eyes burned.

He observed me as if he were measuring how much pain I could endure before breaking.

“If you do not. I will ensure he serves the full sentence…and then some. I will put Atlas down, and you will still marry the man I choose, even if I have to deliver you in chains.”

I couldn’t breathe.

“You can’t stand that I fell in love and ruined your plans for me.”

Dimitri leaned down, hands bracing on the table. His face was inches from mine.

“This is not about a frivolous romance with a soldier. This is about my legacy. Something that both Nathaniel and Titus have already cast away. You will not.” He straightened. “You will have one night,” he added, like he was being merciful. “One. Tonight, to say goodbye.”

My heart stuttered. Then he reached inside my chest and crushed it.

“And then you will let Goran go forever.”

I shook my head.

“Please, Dad. You can’t take him from me. Please don’t do this.”

His gaze never wavered.