Read Online In Other Worlds by Sherrilyn Kenyon - Free Book Online Page A

she’s your wife. There’s nothing I can do.”
    â€œTiernan,” he said in warning.
    â€œAdron,” he shot back.
    Livia moved forward, and by all appearances, she didn’t look a bit shaken by his anger. “Thank you for bringing him home, Tiernan. I think I can handle it from here.”
    Tiernan arched a doubtful brow. “I don’t know if I feel right leaving you at his mercy. He can let blood with that tongue.”
    â€œI’m used to people insulting me.” She directed a meaningful stare at Adron. “As well as being unwanted. I promise you, there’s nothing Adron can say to make me cry.”
    And in that moment, Adron felt low. He’d never wanted to hurt her.
    Turning away, he headed for the bedroom.
    Livia said good-bye to Tiernan, who let himself out of the apartment, and then she followed after Adron. In spite of her brave words, she was terrified. Even though he was her husband, he was a stranger to her in many ways.
    But then, she was used to living in fear, too. At least Adron wouldn’t beat her.
    She hoped.
    As she entered the bedroom, she found him lying on the bed, fully clothed, with his arm draped over his eyes. His long, lean body was a feast that made her heart speed up. Strange how lethal and powerful he was while relaxing. But even more frightening was how much she’d missed him. His presence filled the room and added . . .
    She couldn’t define it. Even though they’d been together for only one night, she felt connected to him. And she’d missed him more than she’d ever missed anyone.
    Now that he was here, she wanted to make him happy again. “Are you hungry?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWell then—”
    â€œI want to be alone.”
    She sighed sadly at his sharp tone. How could she reach the Adron she’d seen in his files? The Adron who’d been so tender and kind to her?
    Was it even possible?
    Don’t give up on him . . . That was what his mother had said to her yesterday when Kiara had called to tell her that Adron was coming home. I know he’s hard to be around, but he’s a good man, and in spite of what he says, you mean something to him. He wouldn’t have married you unless you did. So please, for his sake, help him find a reason to live. I want to see my baby smile again. Just once.
    How could she deny his mother so simple a request? Only today, that request didn’t seem as easy as it had yesterday.
    Today it seemed impossible.
    But she’d promised to try, and so she would. “It seems to me you’ve spent far too much time alone. Perhaps a little time with—”
    â€œDamn it, why are you still here?” He glared at her with such loathing that it stung her. “Why didn’t you do what I told you to?”
    She took a deep breath and counted for patience as she reminded herself that he was in a lot of pain. He doesn’t mean it.
    What if he does?
    No. She refused to believe that he would hate her after he’d protected her. So she answered with the simple truth. “Because I have nowhere else to go. My father has completely disowned me over our marriage. If I go home, he’ll have me arrested and publicly beaten.”
    Adron winced as he realized the extent of the damage he’d done to her. How could he have been so stupid and selfish? And for what? One night of sex that had almost killed him?
    What kind of life could he give her? He couldn’t do anything. He was worthless and weak.
    Pathetic.
    And she deserved something better than him. A life that didn’t include wiping his crippled ass.
    â€œIf it’s a question of money—”
    Her expression said that he’d insulted her to the core of her soul. “I don’t want your money.”
    â€œThen what do you want?”
    Her guileless stare pierced him. “You.”
    He shook his head slowly. “You must be deranged.”
    â€œWhy? Because I want to