90: Cold and indifferent

And yet, the desire for her burned deep within me, a primal hunger that coursed through my veins like electricity. It was a sadistic yearning unlike anything I had ever experienced before. While our previous encounters had been enticing, the longing I felt for her now reached another level entirely. Her words lingered in my mind, a stark reminder of the kind of man I had become—cold and indifferent.

I knew I owed her the respect she deserved, and part of that meant being truthful with her. But I also had to take action to ensure her safety. Locking her down in a different location seemed like the only logical course of action. Dante was the only person in my employ whom I still trusted implicitly. He had proven his loyalty time and time again, even taking bullets for me. I knew he would go to any lengths to protect her.

A snarl escaped my lips as I realized how little trust I had left for anyone. It was a bitter realization, a consequence of the treacherous world I inhabited. Letting