He did.
That was the strangest part. He actually stopped.
Clara swallowed hard. “What’s the price?”
Leo looked at her for a long moment.
“A vow.”
Her heart gave one hard kick.
“No.”
“You have not heard the terms.”
“I don’t need to.”
“You will live under my protection. Owen receives medical care. Your debts disappear. Your job becomes optional. No one touches you.”
“And in exchange?”
“You stay close.”
The room seemed to tilt.
“Close,” she repeated.
“Yes.”
“As what? A pet? A mistress? A trophy for your enemies to aim at?”
His jaw tightened.
“As the woman who carries my blood debt.”
“I gave you blood. I didn’t marry you.”
“Not yet.”
The words struck the air so cleanly that Clara forgot to breathe.
He watched her process them.
“You’re insane,” she whispered.
“Perhaps.”
“You want to marry me?”
“I want to keep you alive.”
“Those are not the same thing.”
“In my world, they often are.”
Clara backed away now. She could not help it.
Leo’s eyes followed the movement.
“You think because I saved your life, you can buy mine?”
“No,” he said. “I think because you saved my life, everyone who wanted me dead will soon know you exist. They will wonder why fate spared me through you. They will wonder whether you matter to me.”
“I don’t.”
“You do now.”
