But Talia”—his eyes flashed—“if this doesn’t work – if you’re in pain, or if the ink doesn’t hold – that’s it. I won’t risk your life, not even for love. And,” he added, before I could interject, “if you ever keep something like this from me again, I mean it…we’re done.” His Adam’s apple bobbed forcefully. “Not because I don’t love you. But because I love you too much to allow you to hurt yourself on my behalf.
