Her blood.

With a twist to his lips that was truly terrifying, he reached for her throat.

He’s going to kill you…

Just as she started to punch him to protect herself, he broke her slave’s collar in half. Her jaw went slack as he stepped away and angrily tore the collar into pieces, then tossed it into the trash can next to the tub.

“What are you doing?” she asked, confused by his actions.

Those blue eyes scorched her with his repressed insanity. “I spent too many years imprisoned here. I refuse to do that to someone else, especially you. I don’t want you to stay with me because you have no choice. I want you here because you want to be with me.” A tic worked furiously in his jaw. “I told Gera not to prep you anymore unless you requested it.”

His gaze dropped to her breast before his features softened to the teasing countenance she’d come to cherish most. “Although I did like the flavored body paint.”

She smiled at him. “As long as you’re the one who applies it and not some strange woman I’ve never met before, I have no objection to using it.”

He gave her a lopsided grin. “Gera’s having your clothes sent up, and she assured me that you would have things appropriate for public wear. You’re free to come and go as you please. Your apartment’s just as you left it. I’ve been paying the bills for it, and they’re all up to date. But I did have the door rekeyed for you as a safety precaution since I didn’t know who might have access to it. I left the new keys and a link for you on the table by your bed. The link’s yours to keep. I went ahead and programmed my number so that you can call if you get locked in here again, and I set Sorche’s as your first contact and Ture’s as your second.”

She didn’t miss the fact that he hadn’t set himself in as a contact. Was that a presumption that she didn’t want him there or did he not want to be listed?

“Lastly, there’s a transport in the hangar for you to use as you wish. It’s in your name, so don’t be afraid that someone will report it stolen if you take it. Or you can use a public transport. Your cards are with the keys and link if you need money.”

Unsure of his mood and the source of his sudden charity toward her, she stepped out of the shower and turned the water off. She reached for a towel, then wrapped it around her body. She moved to stand in front of him.

Zarya bit her lip in uncertainty. “Are we good?”

Darling ran the back of his hand along her jaw. There was a haunted shadow in his gaze that concerned her. “You want the truth?”

No. Not if it was bad.

But she wasn’t a coward either. “Always.”