Igniting Cinder (The Lost Girls, #3)

by Holly Roberds

“You killed him,” I say matter of fact, the words tasting like ash on my tongue. “That man from the bar. You killed him for me.” Kaison swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. “Cinder, I⁠—” “Why?” I demand. He rakes a hand through his hair, a gesture of frustration, of helplessness. “I couldn't let him hurt you again. I couldn't⁠—” “So you decided murder was the answer?” I cut him off, my tone sharp as a blade. “Cinder, please.” His voice is deeper, darker. The side of him he hides is coming out and I wonder if it’s the real him. “You have to understand. He didn't understand the word no. A man like that can't just be allowed to walk around doing whatever he wants.” “Funny,” I say coldly, “Hearing that from a Charming.” I regret the words as soon as they leave my lips. I see the way they slice into him, the flash of hurt that he can't quite hide. Because the truth is, Kaison is nothing like his father. He's not the ruthless, power-hungry tyrant ruling Midnight with an iron fist. But in this moment, with the blood of my assailant on his hands, it's hard to separate the two. Kai bears down on me, backing me up to my bed. He’s so fast, I barely have a chance to skip backward before I’m trapped. “Don’t say that,” he snarls. “I’m not my father. Do you know why? I don’t view you as property. I don’t view you as less than me, but we are engaged. It may be a fake one, but it makes you mine for now, and I refuse to let anything happen to you. You want me to be sorry? I can’t be. No...