She came out of the bathroom in pajamas with images of various chocolate candies on them and slid into bed. He turned out the light and joined her. Squish kneaded the pillow between them and curled against the soft fabric. Max knew better than to get on the master’s bed. The dog briefly raised his head from the chair he’d squeezed himself into, his tongue hanging out happily, as if he knew what was coming for the entitled kitty.

Leo picked the cat up and set her down on the floor. Squish gave him a dirty reply halfway between a growl and a meow, then went to the kitten’s box to lay next to it. Snowball settled with the close presence of the other cat.

It was quiet for a blissful five minutes, until Faith’s previously silent tears got loud enough for Leo to notice.

He turned on the lamp. “Why are you crying?”

“I’m scared.”

“Of?”

Faith’s body was curled away from him, shaking. Even if he hadn’t heard her, the strength of her crying was becoming enough to vibrate the bed.

She sat up. “I know we aren’t in a real relationship, and it’s not my business what you do with Caprice, but this is my life at stake. Did something happen with her?”

“It did.”

“What if it gets serious? What happens then? Will you let me go? Will Angelo kill me?”

How could he convince her he and Caprice would never be serious? That train had long ago left the station. He pulled her against him and held her, stroking her hair.

“Shhhh. Stop your crying. I won’t let Angelo kill you.”

“But this morning…”

“This morning I needed you to understand I don’t appreciate ingratitude after I saved your life. If you wanted to die, then yes, I would have let Angelo kill you. What would be the point of keeping you alive against your will and shrinking my options in the process? But if you want to live, I’ll never kill you or let anyone else hurt you. Are we on the same page?”

“Yes,” she whispered, but it didn’t sound like she was convinced. A moment later, he knew why. “I just… you’re going to resent me or take what you want, anyway. This isn’t realistic. It can’t go on forever like this. You have to know that.” She huddled in on herself after she’d forced the words out as if he might hurt her for saying them.

“Are you jealous of Caprice?” It might be easier to deal with this from another angle. She’d sent him multiple mixed signals about her desires since the previous day when the family had arrived.

“I don’t know. I know you don’t want me, but this lie… it hurts.”

He lifted her chin. “Faith, look at me.”

Reluctantly, her gaze met his.

“I want you. But I’m not a rapist, and I’m not going to terrorize you with my kinks when they would alarm and upset you. Between Caprice and you, I’d rather have you any day. If only you were wired like me.”