“Don’t make me do something you won’t like, Rosebud. Do not play with my jealousy, because a jealous Achilles Valencian is anything but good. I don’t play fair in love and war. And here we’re talking about both.”

My lips parted in surprise. What would he do if I didn’t listen to him? Whatever it was, it wouldn’t be in Warner’s favor.

“He’s just my friend! You don’t need to go all crazy over it! We’re not together anymore. So just calm your ass down!” Narrowing my eyes, I titled my head, ignoring the fact his shoulders relaxed visibly. “You’d take any punishment for me to forgive you?”

He straightened, eyeing me with suspicion. “Yes. Anything. And I know you’re not together anymore. I talked to Cassie. But that doesn’t mean you’ll let him fly around you. That guy still has feelings for you. I don’t want him to look at you the way only I have the right to.”

I gritted my teeth. I couldn’t believe this man! And Cassie? That traitor! She talked to him about me behind my back, didn’t she? I knew she was always on his side!

I’d talk to her later. I needed to take care of this man first.

Not commenting on his insane demands, I came to the point. “You want my forgiveness or not?”

Gray eyes widened a bit. “Of course, baby. What should I do? Tell me and I’ll do it. Do you need anything? Jewelries? Or you need a car? You love puppies, right? Should I bring you one? Or dozens? What do you want, baby?”

I shook my head. Men! He thought gifts could melt my mind?

“You’ll have to do just two things. And then I’ll consider whether to forgive you or not.”

“Consider?” He scowled.

“Take it or leave it!”

He stayed silent for a moment and then nodded. “What are those?”

“The first one is you need to stop having your men follow me around. I don’t want them to keep an eye on me like hawks everywhere I go.”

“What?” His displeasure was back. “I won’t do such a thing! They’re there for your safety, Rosebud. They aren’t going anywhere.”

“I’m not a child that they need to protect. I’m a big and independent girl. I can protect myself very well. And what about your declaration you’ll do anything to make me forgive you?” I raised my brow.

A muscle of his jaw ticked. “I’d do anything. But not compromise with your safety.”

“You have to!” My fists clenched. I’d make him agree with my decision. “Remove the guards, or no forgiveness.”

“Rosebud,” he warned, trying his infamous, intimidating tone on me. But alas, I wasn’t any of his employees. And he knew it.