A Promise so Bold and Broken (Compelling Fates Saga, #2)

by Sophia St. Germain

Hadn’t known his own daughter was the one on her knees on the floor, begging the man who’d started to piece together her broken heart not to cast her out like trash on the street.

Rioner could have easily forced Merrick to tell him every detail he’d learned. And he’d worked too hard to keep her, her mother, and Frelina hidden. Merrick moved to face her. “It was a risk he had to take.”

Reading her mind again? Hmmm

She stiffened when the bed shifted, and strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a broad chest. “It’s me,” he whispered into her hair, and as his low voice wrapped around her, her coiled muscles softened.

He held her closer, and his hair tickled her cheek as he continued. “I promise you, you’re never going back there. I will never allow them to hurt you again. Do you hear me?” When she didn’t respond, Merrick repeated, “Do you hear me?” Finally, she dipped her chin, and a low rumble vibrated in his chest.

Freezing, Merrick glanced back down, and whatever he found in her eyes made his nostrils flare as he nodded once. “I’ll stay here while you sleep.”

“She doesn’t need to get better,” he snarled softly. “If she decides to break apart this whole ship to deal with what happened, I’ll help her. If she wants to kick your lying ass into the depths of the sea, I’ll take your legs. If she decides to rip the world to shreds for what it’s done to her, I’ll cheer her on. And if you were a true friend… you would as well.”

“Please, stop hitting me.” Merrick’s face came into view, and his eyes hardened as he growled, “Stop fucking dying, then.”

Merrick slammed her into his chest, his arms enveloping her as he crushed her against him.

“I’m guessing that’s one of the reasons I loved you.” Loche’s gaze curiously swept over her. “So strange to know I did, but not know why. I mean, you’re beautiful and all… or you probably will be once you’ve bathed. But you seem… just quite average?”

Well damn lol