middle of siccing his dogs to kidnap you. And I made sure that didn’t fucking happen, Addie. “If you thought you had any fucking chance of getting rid of me, get it out of your head. You need my protection more than you need my cock, but I fully intend on giving you both.” My eyes widen and my heart drops. The Society has been targeting me? Jesus Christ, what the fuck did I do in my past life to deserve this shit? I was in so much danger and never realized it. Never even felt it looming nearby. Because the man pinning me to the ground kept me safe and protected so I could enjoy my night. My lip trembles as he continues. “He was an evil man, Addie. And one of the worst things he ever did was put you in danger. The worst thing I ever did was make it so easy for him to find you.” The tables have turned. Where I once accused Zade of failing to keep me hidden from Mark, I am now confessing the harsh truth. He never really stood a chance against fate. “You couldn’t have stopped him from noticing me,” I admit on a soft whisper. “Maybe not, but I brought you further into his sight. I had hoped claiming you would save you, but Mark was always going to turn you in. And every motherfucker who even comes within a mile of your house is going to have my knife in their throats. “T have never pretended to be a good person. But what I did do was create my own fucking morals to live by. I will keep killing every deranged individual who resides on this goddamn planet if it means children don’t have to die, and you don't have to live in danger.” My lip wobbles, and all of the fight I had burning inside of me bleeds out in one breath. I have nothing to say. No argument. I've been holding so tightly onto the notion that all murder is wrong, but I need to let that go. Because Zade is right, whether he came into my life or not, I would always end up in danger. And I can't get upset every time he kills someone who meant me harm. If that makes me selfish, then I don't care anymore. Whether I like it or not... Zade isn't going anywhere. And it's far more exhausting holding onto morals that do nothing but fight against the one thing keeping me safe. I study his face, needing to ask one last question. “Have you killed an innocent person?”