The thing is, I start to believe him. I begin to think that he can protect me from all the evil things in the world that would otherwise hurt me.

I slowly unfold and let him gently wash Zakhar off my body because that’s what it feels like. It feels like I’m covered in his gross, slimy vibe. Kervyn cleanses me so gently I barely feel the sponge touching me, and he doesn’t go anywhere he thinks would make me uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry this is how my cousin treated you. I had already warned him to stay away from you. I should have warned you, but I don’t want to control every part of your life with me,” he whispers the words so softly. “They always do this. Think they’re entitled to what’s mine, what belongs to me. Zakhar has always been a little jealous that I was the head of the family, but I never thought he would go this far. I thought he was just trying to seduce you and you would reject him. I didn’t think he’d actually attack you.” He meets my gaze. “I’m not about force, Penny. I have never been, and I thoroughly discourage it in my family, I swear. A family that little shit is no longer welcome in.”

I nod, swallowing hard. “It’s okay he didn’t…” I pause and take a deep breath. “You were there on time.”

He smiles and whispers to ask, “Can I kiss you better?”

I nod, and he presses his lips to mine. Licorice and tobacco. That’s what my future husband tastes like, but not cheap cigarettes, quality cigars. It’s flavorsome and enticing. When our lips part, I almost miss it. I want to fight this building attraction that I have for him because he did abduct me, but I’m starting to wonder if he was right that one night when we fought.

Maybe I didn’t have a life. Perhaps I wasn’t really living, and he’s given me something to live for.

“I don’t know the gender,” I say softly, and he looks at me curiously.

“Of the baby?”

“Yes, they could tell, but I asked them to seal it for the gender reveal. I think maybe your mom or Asher can arrange that if it’s okay?”

“Of course it is,” he says softly. “And Asher is welcome to come see you here at any time. Maybe she can help you get things ready for the baby.”

“Thank you,” I say softly. “For saving me.”

“I’m just glad I went with my gut so I could find you in time. Penny, don’t be scared to fight back.” He looks at me sternly. “There’s a fire that burns deep inside you, and sometimes you need to let it loose so that you can protect yourself.” He stands up and gets my robe. “Come on, I’d prefer you to come to my room than stay alone tonight. No one should have to stay alone after something like that happens.”

Chapter 13 - Kervyn

I lead her in her robe to my room, pausing only to pick up something for her to sleep in. She follows me almost like a zombie.

“You don’t have to do this.” Her voice is so quiet I almost reconsider killing my cousin. He just got a beating and excommunication from the family. I should shoot him.

“I insist you stay by me so you are safe,” I say. I don’t want to be bossy, but I want her to feel safe.

She follows me to my room and looks around shyly. My room is decorated in a simple style, and she pauses at the massive painting on the wall. “That looks like an original Picasso.” She smiles at me for the first time since the incident, and I stare at her. “No. It can’t be. That is not an original Picasso.”

I chuckle, pointing out, “That’s why it’s behind glass. It cost me an arm and a leg and continues to do so in insurance.”

She gasps, staring at the painting.

I smile and look around, feeling a little awkward. It’s not like Penny hasn’t been in my room before, but I think she was too intoxicated to notice much.

“I wish this was the room we first made love in.” She smiles sadly at me. “I was in such a rush to get out of the apartment because I was so shy. I didn’t think to even look at the art in the apartment more closely.”

“You weren’t shy in bed,” I tease and reach out to stroke her hair. “But let’s get you in bed and sleeping. I’m going to change.”

“Okay.” She moves toward the bed and lays out her shorts and top. I go to the bathroom to change, and by the time I’m back, she’s already climbed into bed and curled up.

“You okay?” I ask quietly.

“Yes,” she responds just as quietly.

I climb into bed and switch off the lights. I turn my back to her and hug my pillow. The gap between us feels significant, and it makes me shiver. I lie there, wondering what I can do to make her feel better when I hear a little sob. I turn my head and listen carefully. I can feel her shaking and realize she’s trying to cry quietly.

“Penny…” I whisper softly. I turn over and scoot up. I spoon her and awkwardly slide my arm around her waist. “Hey. It’s okay. I’m here.”

I stroke her side softly as she composes herself.

“People look at me and see this chunky girl, and they just assume they can take advantage of me, and I let them—a lot of the time. Luckily, something like today hasn’t happened to me before, but there are so many situations where I think back now and realize I was used because people assumed I was desperate. After all, I’m not pretty by society’s standards.” The words rush out, and I listen carefully. She gives a big sniff, and her shoulders shake again. I squeeze her against me.

“People are idiots. Society’s standard of beauty is ridiculous. The moment I locked eyes on you in the club, my first thought was how beautiful you are. I was instantly attracted to you,” I whisper in her ear.

She gives a slight shrug, and I frown. “Hey, up until now, I’ve done many things, but I have not lied to you. Have I?”

She shakes her head, and I smile. “So, you better believe me when I tell you that you are sexy to me. That I find every inch, every curve, and every freckle on you absolutely sexy.”

I keep reassuring her, and after a few minutes, she relaxes in my arms. I feel her breathing even out, and only once she has fallen asleep do I finally close my eyes.

My eyes snap open when I hear a commotion coming from downstairs. I check on Penny, who is still fast asleep in bed beside me. I slip out and don my bathrobe. I leave my bedroom and shut the door behind me.

I storm downstairs, and Leon points me toward my office to see guests waiting. I walk in and glare at my uncle, who has turned around to look at me. “If you fucking wake up my fiance, I will personally remove your fingernails.”

Zakhar’s father stands before me, his face red with anger. “Who do you think you are? Ordering your guards to beat up your cousin. Your father should have instilled in you that some woman you fuck is not more important than your damn family. You’re a disgrace.”

His voice steadily rises, and I cross to my desk. I open the desk drawer and pull out a gun, pointing it at his head.

My uncle freezes, and I advance toward him, keeping the gun trained between his eyes. “Have you forgotten who you are talking to? Have you forgotten what position I hold in this family?”

My uncle holds his hands up. “Kervyn. Please. You must understand he’s my son. I would do anything for him.”

“Your loyalty should lie with me first before your child,” I growl. “Your child that tried to rape my fiancé.” I pull the hammer of the gun back. “Rape the woman who is going to be my Queen, the queen of our family and who carries my heir. She’s not just some fucking woman. She is mine.”

My uncle mumbles his apologies, and I tilt my head. “If I can’t trust you any more than I can trust your child, then perhaps you should join him and leave this family. If you can’t pledge your loyalty…”

My uncle shakes his head. “No. I’m sorry. The news reached me that it was some woman. I didn’t know it was your fiancé. Of course, you were right to punish him. Please don’t banish him, though. He is my only heir.”

I lower the hammer and the gun and snort. “Perhaps you should consider adopting because he’s never welcome back here. Now get the fuck out of my house.”

Leon clears his throat, and my uncle hurries out of the room. I look at Leon. “Keep an eye on him for a couple of months. I don’t trust he won’t seek revenge.”

“Yes, sir,” Leon responds before leaving.

I leave and go out of the house through the set of doors in the greenhouse to where the pool is. I need to calm down. I want to kill everyone. I shrug off my robe and boxers and dive into my Olympic-sized pool to swim. I need to exercise to drive out the aggression before returning to Penny. I don’t want her to see me like this when she already feels scared. I swim a few laps before I climb out, strip off my boxers, and put my robe back on.

I walk upstairs, feeling a little less angry. I walk into the bedroom to see Penny sitting up sleepily. “Morning, sleepy head.”

“Morning,” she murmurs. She sees me drop my wet boxers in the hamper and looks up into my eyes.

I see something in there, in that gaze that I clear my throat softly and nod. “I’m going to have a hot shower. You’re welcome to join me if you want to.”