65

Dorian's POV

It was barely six in the morning when I stepped into the hall, but there was already light seeping from under Leonora’s door. Or rather, there was still light coming from under her door. Jetlag had hit her hard during the first few days, but she quickly settled back into the stereotypical teenage routine—up all night, sleep all day, rinse, and repeat.

I had planned to talk to her about what happened yesterday with the scrawny waiter in the alley later on. Preferably after I’d managed to scrub the image from my memory. But, I was feeling more patient than usual, so now seemed as good a time as any.

I opened the door. She was lying on her bed, her phone propped up on her bent knees. She didn’t move except for a quick flick of her eyes toward me. “I could have been naked.”

“You aren’t.”

“I could have been, though.”

“Then lock your door if you don’t want anyone walking in.” She raised a brow, looking just like our mother. “Fine. Leave, and I’ll make sure to lock it next time.”

I’d survived assassination attempts. I’d killed armed men with nothing but my hands. A teenage girl was not going to be the end of me. But she sure as hell was going to try. I closed the door behind me and crossed my arms. “We need to talk.”

“Uninterested,” she muttered, not taking her eyes off her phone. Vivian had told me to be gentle with Leonora. To spend more time with her. I figured I’d get through to her my own way. In two steps, I crossed the room and slapped the phone out of her hands, sending it tumbling to the floor. “That wasn’t a request.”

That finally got her attention. She glared up at me, her chin jutting out defiantly. “If you’re staying here,” I continued, “there will be rules.”

“No joy, no fun, no life,” she said, ticking off the points on her fingers. “I know the drill.”

“Making out with some slimy busboy in an alley isn’t ‘fun,’ Leonora. It’s trashy and dangerous.”

“Says the guy who let Vivian move in after one date,” she shot back, rolling her eyes. “Double standards, much?”

I clenched my jaw. “You’re not me. I’m an adult.” I was the leader of an organization strictly created based on revenge. I keep your whole world in place. I wanted to say

“And what does that make me?” she snapped. “I’m almost eighteen. I’m not a kid anymore, Dorian. I know it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, but I’m not the same.”

As if I needed the reminder. The last time I’d seen her, she had glitter streaks in her hair and a stuffed frog that stayed in the center of her bed. I glanced around the room and spotted the same ratty green frog slumped on her bookshelf. A lot had changed, but not everything. Not the important things.

I sighed and turned back to her. “This isn’t about whether or not you’re still a kid. It’s about keeping you safe.”

“And what if I don’t trust you to do that?”

“Then get on a plane and go back to live with Mother,” I snapped. “If you’re staying in this house, you’re going to follow my rules.”

She crossed her arms and slumped back against the headboard. “I’m not agreeing to anything until I know what the rules are.”

“If you leave the house, someone goes with you. Always. I don’t care if it’s me, Adri, a guard—someone is with you at all times.”

“I object.”

I shook my head. “You don’t get to object.”

“Yes, I do!” she shouted. “I’ll follow your rules, but I’m not going to be stuck at home like your girlfriend. I have a life outside these walls. I won’t be caged.”

“Vivian isn’t caged.”

“She’s always here. You’ve cut her off from everyone and everything. She’s alive, sure, but at what cost?”

My teeth ground together. “Vivian went out last night.”

Leonora frowned. “She did? I thought she stayed in your room all night.”

“Nope. She went out.”

“With who?” she asked quickly.

“Who do you think? Me.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “You took her out? On an actual date? Didn’t think you were capable.”

“You don’t know anything. You’ve barely been here.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Through no fault of my own, may I remind you. But I don’t need to be around to see what’s happening. The staff isn’t afraid to gossip. The maids all talk about how Vivian is the first woman you’ve ever brought home. I can’t decide if that’s sweet or just plain sad.”

“It’s neither. It’s my business. And it’s not the damn point.”

“Then, for the love of God,” she groaned, “get to the point!”

I clenched my jaw and silently counted to ten, resisting the urge to throw Leonora in the basement for the rest of her stay. “You want to be treated like an adult? Fine. Here’s your chance. Get your act together, follow my rules, and show me you’re capable of making adult decisions.”

“Yes, sir.” She gave a mock salute before rolling her eyes. I’d broken men’s bones for less disrespect than that, but it was the best I was going to get. At least it wasn’t “yes, Father,” so I counted it as a small victory.

I turned and closed the door behind me. Adri was leaning against the hallway wall, waiting. I had told him to be here first thing to discuss our next move now that I had the green light. I expected him to show up around sunrise, but he’d beaten my expectations.

He glanced at my face and winced. “Parenting troubles?”

“I’m not her parent. I’m—” Damn, I wasn’t even sure what I was anymore. “I’m keeping her safe.”

“That’s if she follows your rules,” he said with a smirk. “Do you think she will?”

Behind me, I heard the lock click on Leonora’s door. I exhaled heavily. “I seriously doubt it.”