RONAN

Water streams down my back, pooling around my feet in a copper hue. I turn around stiffly. The shower is too narrow to accommodate my shoulders.

With a frustrated sigh, I make the best of what I have. I need to get this blood off me so that I can return to Hazel. Enough time has passed since I last had her in my arms.

I took my time torturing her kidnappers. The memories of their screams remain locked away in my memories. I'll never share the experience with her. Never taint her with the darkness or risk upsetting her. This is my burden to carry.

This can't happen again. I got too close to losing her. Hazel will hate me for it, but I can't allow her to step foot outside the estate ever again. The world is starting to realize how important she is to me. And I've got enemies all over, eager to hurt me.

The government fell apart a decade ago, but many of the politicians behind the military experiments are still alive and watching from afar. I've always been prepared for death, but I never expected getting attached to one of my maids and extending my life to her. Never saw myself handing so much power to a woman.

I tear out of the shower, using the cheap motel towel to dry myself. I change back into my clothes still stained with blood and roar, "We roll out now!" as I step outside.

My men, slouched against the wall, quickly straighten themselves.

"It's time to go home. My business is done here. Did you bury the bodies?"

I receive two nods, but I don't feel satisfied. I should have spent more time torturing the greedy bastards before putting them under.

We exit the motel and gather in the vehicle. I tap my fingers on my knee anxiously, biting my tongue to keep from shouting at the driver to speed up. He's already driving fast enough to risk running over townspeople.

Much later, when we finally roll up to the estate, I'm relieved to see that it's not engulfed in flames and the gates are still standing. I've been reckless lately. Negligent of the estate and my people. I did it to search for Hazel, and I can't apologize for that. I have served my people dutifully since I inherited this estate. Kept them safe for a decade. But I've become more than a Lord. I've become a lover, and Hazel comes before all others.

I barge past the gates, pulling my hoodie over my head. I've had enough attention these past few days. I might just strangle the next person that stares at my scarred face.

I need Hazel. She never stares or judges. There's only love in her eyes.

Janice greets me by the entrance, offering me food and a glass of water. But I've got no interest in anything but Hazel.

"Forget all that. Bring me to her." My voice echoes through the empty halls. There are no servants in sight. They're hiding from their blood-soaked lord.

"She's with her mother, sir," Janice replies, her shoulders unnaturally hunched as if she's intimidated. That's new. Janice rarely shows such fear.

"Please follow me."

"Wait," I growl, remembering that my clothes are still bloody. I can't let Hazel see this mess. She'd be traumatized by the bits of brain caked onto my clothes.

"I'll change first."

Janice struggles to keep up with me as I thunder down the hall. I barge into my room and toss my clothes aside, changing into a clean hood and jeans.

Janice leads me down the maze of corridors before gently knocking on a door. There's a second of silence before Hazel opens it and slips outside.

"Hey," she whispers. "I missed—"

I crush her in my embrace, finally able to breathe. We're back home, in my domain. Back to safety, where no one can hurt her.

"Your mother?" I murmur against her hair, inhaling her scent.

"She's asleep. She...um..."

I pull back to examine her expression. There's a tremble in her voice that I don't like.

"What's wrong?" I ask, straightening my spine and curling my tongue in preparation to bark orders and fix whatever ails her.

Hazel looks at me with wide eyes, unable to respond.

"Her mother stepped past the gates, sir. She was going after Hazel," Janice answers.

Fuck. The estate will expect me to banish Hazel's mother for her disobedience. To uphold the strictest, oldest rule of the estate.

"Dakota incarcerated her and denied her food and water. I—I got my mom out of the cell, and I ordered Dakota into it," Hazel admits.

She looks ashamed, her eyes teary. She waits in silence for my fury, but it doesn't come.

"You did good," I praise. "You protected the woman you love. I'm guilty of the same crime, so I cannot judge you."

She lowers her head. "You must decide what to do with my mom. The estate expects it. But know that if she's banished, I'm going with her." Her fists clench. "I will not abandon her."

Silly girl. Brave girl.

"I'll deal with it. For now, let her rest. Come with me."

I take her hand and lead her downstairs, toward the cells. Our footsteps fall loudly on the smooth, marble floors. The light gets dimmer the further down we go.

When we reach Dakota's cell, she throws herself at the bars. "My lord," she rasps. Her outstretched hand curls into a fist when she realizes Hazel stands behind me.

"She threw me in here like trash. Help me, Lord. After all the years I served you. All the times I've pleasured you, you must find it in your heart to end my humiliation."

She's kneeling. Her skirt is pooled around her, and her makeup is smeared.

I can't recall what I saw in her the few times I slept with her. Not kindness, that's for sure. Maybe it was ambition. The same ambition that burns inside me. I respected it.

"Either stand or beg to your mistress. I won't be moved by your crocodile tears."

"Have mercy!" She cries. Outraged by the thought of begging to Hazel.

My lip curls. "Did you have mercy when you tortured an older woman? Denied her food and water? How sickening."

She glances at Hazel, and then at me. "So what if I broke a small moral rule? Hazel did the same by jumping the wall. By going outside and risking the estate's secrets. We are not different."

I won't entertain her delusions much longer, because I know she's trying to get into Hazel's head. She's trying to make her feel guilty.

"Enjoy your last night under the estate's roof. Come morning, you will be banished for your cruelty and abuse of power."

Her mouth is wide open. She can't believe my coldness.

Hazel gasps. She wasn't expecting this, either.

"I'm not hearing any of it," I tell both women. "I've made up my mind."

Dakota's hand flies out and grip onto my pants. She pulls with all her might, but I don't move an inch.

"What does she have that I dont?" she grits.

I step backward, freeing myself from her grip. "A heart."

Just to spite her, just because I'm cruel and vengeful, I wrap an arm around Hazel's waist and pull her to my side. I kiss her–something I never did with Dakota.

"My lord!" Dakota roars. "Enough!"

"You should be begging Hazel, not commanding us."

She trembles as she spits on the ground. Her spit drips down a cell bar.

"Never."

I shrug. "Have it your way, then."

I lead Hazel out of the cells, ignoring Dakota's heaving sobs.

"Ronan," Hazel whispers. "Wasn't that too much? Do you really have to banish her? She didn't even try to skip the wall."

"Don't worry about her. She won't be lonely."

She hesitates before replying, "What does that mean?"

"I'm letting servants go. Whoever wants to leave the estate will be free to do so, and they'll be welcomed once a year to visit friends and family."

"But–but I thought you banished servants who jumped the wall to protect the secrets of the estate? Why would you end this rule now?"

"Because everything is changing. My revenge isn't a priority anymore, you are. If secrets get out that tarnish my plan, that's fine. I will get my revenge eventually. It can take an eternity if needed. But I want to enjoy life now. I don't want to coerce servants to stay in the estate."

There's a third reason. I must admit that I've given Hazel favoritism. If I don't change the rules after forgiving Hazel and her mother for skipping the wall, they will resent us.

Change is good. Change is what brought Hazel to my life.

The estate will remain standing as long as she's beside me. Even if a hundred people leave, we will make do.