The penthouse was quiet when she returned.
Gideon was sitting on the sofa, his laptop open. He didn't look up as she entered.
"Did Silas break it?" he asked.
"Just sprained, I think," Alivia said, taking off her coat.
"Pity."
Alivia walked over to him. "You did it, didn't you? The grant. The cards."
Gideon closed the laptop and looked at her. "He touched you."
"So you ruined his life?"
"I removed an obstacle. There is a difference."
Alivia looked at him. This man was ruthless. He destroyed people with a phone call.
And he did it for her.
She sat down next to him. "Thank you."
Gideon reached out and pulled her into his lap. It was a fluid motion, possessing her.
"You are my wife, Alivia. My protection is part of the deal."
"Is that all it is? A deal?" she asked, looking into his eyes.
Gideon didn't answer. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a long, velvet box.
He opened it. Inside lay a necklace. A single, teardrop sapphire, dark as the ocean, suspended on a platinum chain.
"Turn around," he murmured.
Alivia turned. She felt the cold metal against her skin, then the warmth of his fingers clasping it at the nape of her neck.
He kissed the spot right above the clasp. A shiver ran down her spine.
"I have to go to Zurich tonight," he said against her skin. "Business."
Alivia felt a sharp pang of disappointment. "Oh. How long?"
"Three days." He turned her face to look at him. "Will you miss me?"
"Maybe," she whispered.
Gideon smirked. "Liar."
He brushed his thumb over her lips. "Wear the necklace. It tells them you're mine."
"I'm not a dog, Gideon."
"No," he agreed. "You're a wolf. But you're my wolf."
He stood up, adjusting his cuffs. "Silas will stay with you. Don't go anywhere without him."
"I won't."
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. It was a chaste kiss, but it burned.
"Be good, Alivia."
Then he was gone, taking all the air in the room with him.
Alivia touched the sapphire at her throat. It felt heavy. It felt like an anchor.
