Ruthless King

“Then I will stop.”

He said it like it was that simple. Maybe for Regent Malone, it was.

“There will never be anyone else, but I’m not an easy man.”

“Oh, believe me. I know that.” She wasn’t an idiot.

“I’m the protector. That’s my job.”

He seemed to want a response, however she was getting this feeling like all of this was a trap.

“I guess so. Although I can protect you too.”

His face softened. “I like that you want to do that.”

She smiled at him.

“But you won’t be allowed to put yourself in any danger.”

Lord.

He was hard work.

“And I cannot protect you if you keep secrets from me. So you’re going to tell me everything that is going on with you.”

Jilly swallowed heavily.

Uh. Oh.

31

Regent frowned. “You don’t look that good.”

What every girl wanted to hear.

“I’m supposed to be looking after you, not interrogating you.” He placed his hand over her forehead. “You’re warm.”

She wanted to smile. The man had only been taking care of her for a few days, yet now he could expertly tell that she was warm?

It was so sweet.

“Let’s get you some medicine. Are you tired, baby?”

“I’m fine.”

He gave her a stern look. “You know better than to lie to me.”

“I’m better than I was.”

Thanks to him.

“Thank you for looking after me.”

“You do not have to thank me for that. Now, stay there while I pack some things for you. I’ll get someone else to come back and pack the rest once you’re feeling better and can decide what you want to do with it all.”

“Um, what? Why would I want everything packed up?”

“You want to leave it all here? I suppose a lot of it is your mother’s.”