“Climb up,” he says, waving at the chair he just vacated. He loops the belt in his fist. “You can hold on to the back for support.”

“Please,” I beg again as the tears spill.

“Do as I say!”

His thundering baritone destroys the last of my composure, and I bawl as I climb onto the chair. It’s not the threat of pain that bothers me the most.

It’s the betrayal storming through me, devastating my heart in its violent path.

I embrace the cushioned back as his steps carry him closer. Those purposeful footfalls stall behind me, and he sucks in a deep breath. I wait, muscles quivering as gooseflesh crawls down my naked backside.

He promised welts if I misbehaved again.

He said it’s a matter of consistency, so I know the first strike is coming.

He’s a man of his word.

More seconds slip by, and I hold my breath as the salt of his betrayal drips down my cheeks.

Still…the first strike doesn’t come.

“Goddamnit, Novalee.” Something thumps to the floor.

I’m frozen in my vulnerable position, scared to believe he changed his mind.

“Get down.” His voice is soft, defeated.

A sob of relief escapes me. I turn to face him on shaky limbs, cheeks bathed in tears as I wrap my arms around myself. “You couldn’t do it.”

“No.” He takes me by the chin. “The thought of hurting you sickens me.” His grip tightens, incongruent with his words. “Heath doesn’t suffer from the same affliction. His rules are rigid, Novalee. He’ll hurt you when you break them.”

“Why?” The question is little more than a hoarse whisper. I clear my throat. “Why would he want to hurt me?”

“It’s just who he is.” He lets go of me and takes a step back, putting three feet of space between us. “And he won’t budge. Once he’s set his mind on something, there’s no undoing it.” His regretful gaze darts in the direction of the chair at my back. “He won’t change his mind about the dungeon.”

“I don’t want to go.”

“You have to.” He’s shaking, composure in tatters as he drags a hand through his hair. “And once you do, I can’t protect you.”

TAURUS

BOOK TWO

1

APRIL 21ST

5,760 minutes. 96 hours. Four days. Roughly, that’s how long it’s been since Heath Bordeaux fit me for my crown. Those days snuck by in the blink of an eye, in the microseconds a bolt of lightning steals when striking the ground…in the time it takes to break a heart.

Leaving the haven of Liam Castle broke mine.

“He should be here with you,” Faye says as we approach the library on the first floor of the tower. Elise nods in agreement.

“He decided against it,” I say, doing my best not to chew my nails.