Chapter 14 His tone suggested this was a reasonable conversation between two adults. Like he hadn't just used supernatural coercion to trap me in his car. I stared at him, searching for some hint of the man I'd fallen in love with three years ago. "What do you want?" A slow smile spread across his lips - the same half-smirk that used to make my heart race. Now it just made my skin crawl. "I was too harsh this afternoon. At the jewelry store." His voice took on that carefully modulated tone he used when he wanted something. "Stop being angry about it. The words hung between us like a pathetic offering. He clearly expected gratitude for this minimal acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Expected me to melt with relief and throw myself into his arms the way I always had before. I kept my gaze fixed on the hospital parking lot. 'I'm not angry." He scoffed and leaned closer. His cologne - the expensive amber moss I'd bought him - filled the confined space. "Don't play games, Sable. You know how this works. I say sorry, you forgive me, we move on." "There's nothing to forgive." Something flickered across his features. Confusion, maybe. This wasn't following his usual script. 'Right." He straightened in his seat, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. "So where's my gift?" I blinked. "What gift?" His eyes narrowed to slits. "Don't be coy. My mother saw you buying me a watch. She told me all about your little shopping trip to win me back." The arrogance in his voice made my teeth clench. He wasn't asking - he was demanding. Like my supposed gift was his by right. "I did buy a watch. I met his stare without flinching. "But it wasn't for you." The temperature in the car seemed to drop ten degrees. "What do you mean it wasn't for me?" His voice turned sharp, dangerous. "Who else would you buy expensive gifts for?" "That's none of your business." "None of my-" He cut himself off, visibly struggling for control. "I'm your boyfriend, Sable. You don't get to buy presents for other men and then tell me it's none of my business." 'Aren't you Camila's boyfriend now?" The question hit its mark. He flinched like I'd slapped him. "That's… Camila and I aren't…" He fumbled for words, then his face darkened with rage. "You're fucking someone else, aren't you?" Before I could react, his hand shot out to grip my chin. His fingers dug into my jaw as he forced me to look at him. 'Answer me." Then his mouth crashed against mine. The kiss was brutal. Possessive. His other hand tangled in my hair, holding me prisoner while he tried to stake his claim. I could taste copper where my teeth cut against my lip. 1/3 I bit down hard on his bottom lip until I drew blood. "What the fuck!" I shoved him away with both hands, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. "Get off me!' He touched his bleeding lip, eyes blazing with something between fury and arousal. "You're mine, Sable. No matter how much you fight it, that won't change. *Stay away from me!" My voice cracked like a whip. "You screw Camila and then try to kiss me? What do you think I am?" A flush crept up his neck, but he didn't deny it. Couldn't deny it. - a gesture I used to find charming. "Camila and I weren't shopping for engagement rings. My "Today at the jewelry store…" He ran a hand through his hair mother needed accessories for some new dresses. She wanted Camila's help choosing jewelry to match." He leaned forward, trying to look sincere. "Necklaces, earrings, bracelets. Nothing romantic. I know you misunderstood, but I was angry and didn't explain properly. I wanted to make you jealous." "You wanted me to be jealous?" "I'm sorry…" He reached for my hand. 1 I pulled back before he could touch me. "I heard your apology. I don't accept it. And I'm telling you again the watch isn't for you." His jaw clenched. "Then who the hell is it for?" "My future husband." Darrell went very still. Then he threw back his head and laughed a harsh, ugly sound. "Jesus Christ, Sable. You're really going to try emotional blackmail now? Threatening marriage to force me into a commitment?" He leaned back in his seat, studying me like I was a particularly pathetic insect. "Is that your game? If I promise to mark you, you'll give me the watch and forgive me? Is that how this works?" The sheer narcissism of it stole my breath. He actually thought I was talking about him. Thought I was so desperate for his attention that I'd resort to manipulation and threats. His expression shifted to disappointed condescension. "I thought you understood our situation. I thought you were smarter than this. But you keep pushing for things I can't give you." He shook his head slowly, like a parent scolding a wayward child. "I'm really disappointed in you right now." "Unlock the door." Each word came out clipped and furious. "Now." "Sable- "Unlock it or I'm calling the police." Something in my tone must have penetrated his arrogance. He hit the unlock button with more force than necessary. 'Fine. But this conversation isn't over." I was out of the car before he finished speaking. My hands shook as I unlocked my own vehicle, but I managed to start the engine and drive away without looking back. 2/3 The hotel room felt like a sanctuary after the claustrophobic hell of Darrell's car. I went straight to the bathroom and brushed my teeth twice, trying to scrub away the taste of his forced kiss. In the mirror, my lips looked slightly swollen. There was a small cut where my teeth had caught against them during his assault. Assault. That's what it was, wasn't it? He'd used his Alpha authority to trap me, then forced himself on me when I refused to play along with his script. I splashed cold water on my face and tried to piece together how I'd gotten here. How I'd allowed myself to become so small, so accommodating, that Darrell felt entitled to my compliance. Because I taught him to expect it.