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-"
him. "You already
before I saw your desperation," he
what's your if?"
you as mine, Hope. Promise that, and I'll put
one condition," Hope held out a finger
just mine."
listen to my condition, Varys, now," Hope glared at him. After all she was doing, he could
condition is either of those things,
listen before you glare at me?" Hope snarled at him. "My condition is that you come back safe, Varys! If you die on me, or let Ethan get hold of you I swear I'll never forgive you and become a ghost myself so I can make you
your condition? Hope, you need to have more faith in me. Do you really think I'm so easily
don't know Ethan like I do," she
promise me first, Hope. I want
better than a dead one. He might pretend to be tough, but she was the only one
his lips. If the situation wasn't
I promise to be yours and
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
her hands in his. "I promise I'm going to save those two for you, and when
Marriage? "What?" she squeaked.
belong to each other, it only makes sense that we're married. But first, I'll take care
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