Varys' words weren't enough. Nothing was enough. Hope imagined what would happen to Vincent and Max if Ethan got his hands on them and bit her lip so hard blood seeped into her mouth.
"Hope, calm down."
Varys' words were as if they were underwater. She could hear them, but they were dull and couldn't break through the wall of panic.
She was going to lose her only family. She was going to lose him in the most horrible way possible, and Ethan would make sure it hurt her. He would delight in it.
"Hope!"
Varys was nose to nose with her now as he folded her in his arms. "Varys?"
"Hope, I don't know where you're going on in your mind, but you need to break out of it, now."
"I can't," she whispered as she pushed at him. She had the strength of a kitten. "I have to save them."
His hold tightened on her. "Them?" it was the dangerous growl of a predator.
"My uncle Vincent, and Max," she whispered.
"Max again," Varys spat. "Why are you worried about him?"
"He helped me," Hope replied. "And he's all my uncle has. I don't want anyone dying because of me, being tortured because of me." She swallowed. "You've looked into Ethan's past. You know what kind of monster he is."
"If I help you-"
glared at him. "You
desperation," he replied with his
what's your if?" Hope
you, you belong to me and no one else. I want you as mine, Hope. Promise that, and I'll put
Hope held out
conditions, just mine."
at him. After all she was doing,
If your condition is either of those things, I'm denying you." Varys
snarled at him. "My condition is that you come back safe, Varys! If you die on me, or let Ethan
have more
I do," she replied. "Please,
promise me first, Hope. I want to hear it from
dead one. He might pretend to be tough, but she was the only one that knew what Ethan was truly capable of. Besides, better for budding feelings to die now than for them to deepen and
the situation wasn't as tense as it was, she would have
I promise to be yours
flash of emotion in his eyes took her breath away. The range he went through in just a single breath. Had he ever looked so grateful or so happy without the cockiness? It was like that boyish moment he'd had at
"I promise I'm going to save
Marriage? "What?" she squeaked.
other, it only
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