“You made me a promise. You didn’t keep it.”

“Oh yes, I’m just the worst mate ever for wanting to protect you. How dare I,” she mocked.

He took an aggressive step toward her. “I don’t need you to protect me. I don’t want you to protect me. I want you to live.”

“Do I look like a fucking apparition to you? I am alive, asshole! And if you don’t want me to protect you, ask me if I give a shit! I’m your mate! That’s what mates do! And protecting the people I care about is who I am!”

“And that protective streak makes you reckless,” he snapped.

“Says the person who called on the flames of fucking hell and destroyed a house of dark practitioners to protect their mate! Yeah, you don’t get to judge me on this one, Thorne.”

“I do get to be pissed that you made me a promise but didn’t keep it.”

“You’re pissed because I won’t fall in line with what you want. I’m my own person and I’ve never pretended to be anything else. People like Belinda would change to suit someone, but that’s not me. It will never be me. I protected you tonight and, if necessary, I’ll do it again. If you can’t accept that, then you’re not accepting me. And if that’s how it is, say so now and end what we have before we drive each other completely insane.”

He closed his eyes and released a frustrated breath.

“Well? Can you accept it or not?” Because she wasn’t going to have this argument every time she did what she had to do to protect him. He had to understand that she wouldn’t change, and he had to make peace with it.

A few moments later, he opened his eyes. “I have to speak to the sentinels.”

Her stomach rolled. His failure to answer her question told her all she needed to know.

“You should rest and —”

“Get out,” she snarled.

His brows shot up. “Excuse me?”

“Get the fuck out.” Instead, the cheeky fucker moved toward her. Her demon leapt to the surface and hissed, “Don’t.” He wisely halted. “You won’t get an apology,” it told him. “Neither she nor I are sorry for what we did or who we are.” Harper took back the reins and scowled at him. “And if you don’t like it, fuck you!”

With that, she stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door shut. Breathing hard, she leaned back against it. Footsteps headed her way… but then the sound of them faded as he left the bedroom.

Grams, I need to get out of here.

Knox prowled out of the bedroom, more enraged than he’d been in a long while. He’d been in a meeting with Levi, Keenan, and Larkin when he’d received Tanner’s frantic call. Fear clogging his throat, he’d pyroported himself and his sentinels to the reception area of the studio. He hadn’t needed to hear Harper call out to him; he’d been able to hear the struggle coming from the office. Barging inside to find her on the floor; eyes closed, not moving…

Dead.

The word had bounced around his skull until he felt her pulse with his fingers. Relief had rushed through his veins, but it hadn’t eased the fear and rage heating his blood and sending his demon into a frenzy. The insidious emotions lingered even now. It all curdled in his stomach, twisting and tugging at his gut, and tormenting his demon.

All Knox wanted was for her to be safe. He needed her to be safe. He’d trusted that she’d keep her promise and call him if necessary. Trusted that her need to take care of herself wouldn’t drive her to put herself in too much danger.

He’d been wrong to do so, apparently. And, yes, it hurt that she’d broken her promise. That pain was keeping the bubbling rage alive.

Striding into the living area, he found Levi, Keenan, and Larkin sat on the sofas, looking the epitome of awkward. They’d obviously overheard the argument. “Tanner still recovering well?” Knox asked.

Levi nodded. “He’ll be fully healed soon.”

“Good.” Knox crossed his arms. “What did Crow have to say?” He had every intention of speaking to him when he could be sure his inner demon wouldn’t rise and destroy Crow and whatever stood in its way.

Not that Knox would regret the kill. He wouldn’t at all. In fact, answering the need for vengeance that was hammering at him would go a long way into making him feel a whole lot better. But when Bray and others had called for Crow’s death to avenge Carla, Knox had refused; had argued that Crow deserved the same help that any near-rogue was entitled to. He’d lose the respect of his lair if he acted differently to avenge his mate.

“Plenty,” replied Keenan. “He was more than happy to share his belief that you needed to be destroyed. He didn’t shut up about it until Doc injected him with the liquid form of his medication. Now he’s sitting in the corner of his cell, rocking and muttering to himself.”

“He’s refusing to take his pills,” Levi added. “He said we’re trying to poison him. He’s quite sure the Doc is part of some conspiracy to see him dead.”

“He’s not afraid,” said Larkin. “He says he was chosen for this mission; he’s positive that the person who selected him to do their work will ensure he’s freed. Obviously he’s deluded himself into believing someone ‘sent’ him.” She sighed. “I’m not sure he can be helped. He seems too far gone to me.”

“Bray and Roan want to confront him,” began Levi, “but I denied them access until you okay it. Roan, being the obstinate little bastard that he is, probably would have pushed it if he wasn’t still in pain after his last punishment.”