I’ve been driving for hours, the city lights long gone behind us, replaced by the endless stretch of dark countryside. The only sound in the car is your quiet, terrified breathing and the hum of the engine as I speed down the deserted road.

I glance at you, slumped against the passenger seat, your wrists bound loosely in front of you. Your tear-streaked face is illuminated by the dim dashboard light, your eyes puffy and red. You refuse to look at me.

“You’re quiet tonight,” I say coldly, my voice cutting through the silence. “Cat got your tongue, tulip?”

You flinch, swallowing hard. “Where are you taking me?” you whisper, your voice barely audible over the engine.

I smirk, eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Somewhere safe.”

“Safe?” You scoff bitterly, finally turning to face me, anger flashing through your tears. “You kidnapped me from my own flat, Harry. You threatened my family. How the fuck is this safe?”

I slam the brakes without warning, sending the car skidding to a halt on the gravel road. You scream as your body jerks forward, restrained only by the seatbelt. Before you can react, I’ve unbuckled mine and turned to you, grabbing your face roughly with one hand, forcing you to look at me.

“Don’t ever raise your voice at me again,” I growl, my eyes dark with rage. “You have no idea what I’ve done to keep you safe. No fucking idea.”

Tears spill down your cheeks as your lips tremble. “I didn’t ask for any of this,” you choke out. “I didn’t ask for you to ruin my life.”

My jaw clenches, my thumb brushing away your tears almost gently before tightening painfully against your cheek. “You think this is ruining your life?” I whisper, my voice low and dangerous. “If I left you alone, you’d be dead by now. My enemies know you’re my weakness. They want you because they want to see me burn.”

“I don’t care,” you sob brokenly, shaking your head. “I don’t want to be your weakness. I just want my life back.”

A bitter laugh escapes my lips as I pull away from you, slamming back into my seat. “Too fucking late for that, tulip.”