“I won’t. I will never hurt you.”

“I’ve heard that before.” Fatigue settled over her features. “I’m glad you believe that, I am, but it’s time I was responsible for myself.”

He had to fight a wave of despair. Her precious trust was ruined, and all because of him. “Stay. Please.” Begging again? For friendship? He just... He couldn’t stand the thought of her out there, alone, defenseless. In danger. Or, worse, in lust with another man. “Work here, or not. Either way, you’ll be safe.”

Again she denied him, shaking her head.

Stubborn female. He studied her, trying to figure out his next move. The length of her hair spilled over his pillows, a dark cloud—he liked that. Smoked-glass eyes that had once sparkled up at him were now guarded—he didn’t like that.

“I will get your new ID,” he said. “However, it could take several weeks. Maybe even months.” Because I don’t plan to begin the process anytime soon. Meanwhile, he would do everything within his power to rebuild her faith in him. After a while, she would want to stay. Surely. “You can make more money while you wait.”

She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “Okay,” she finally said with a nod. “I’ll work here while I wait. I’ll be able to build another nest egg, at least.”

“Yes. A nest egg. Exactly.” He sifted a lock of her hair between his fingers, marveling over the softness. “I’ll make sure you have the best tables.”

“No. No special treatment. The girls shouldn’t be overlooked just to appease your guilt.” She yanked the strands away from his grip and threw her legs over the other side of the bed, rising across from him, putting as much distance between them as possible.

The robe fell to the floor, pooling at her feet. Thankfully, the material had done its job, leaving her bloodstain free.

“I’m going to my room,” she said, once again unwilling to meet his gaze.

He fisted the sheet to keep from reaching for her. “You may have this one for the duration of your stay.”

She eyed the undecorated walls, the sparseness of the furnishings. Hurt bathed her expression.

Hurt? Over this? An offer he’d never made to another female.

“No, thank you,” she said, lifting her chin. “I like staying with the girls.”

Another rejection. One he should have expected. But the clenching in his chest returned, sharper, stronger than before. “Bellorie should arrive in an hour, just in time for tonight’s shift, as promised.”

“Thank you.” Head high, she strode from the room.

* * *

THANE WAS WATCHING HER.

What was she going to do with that man?

Two weeks had passed since the demon attack. Both weeks, Thane had sent her a basket of chocolates, a vase of roses, and a box of books. Each gift had come with an “I’m sorry” card. Even though he’d already begged for her forgiveness. Which had been nice, she could now admit, and completely out of his ice-king character.

He sat at a table next to a horribly scarred but seriously rocking warrior she’d heard him call “Lucien,” the two locked in a heated conversation about a missing warrior named Torin, a girl named Cameo trapped in some type of rod, time delays, Bjorn and shadows.

Not that Elin had been eavesdropping...more than a little... Okay, a lot.

Through it all, the Sent One’s attention returned to her again and again. And he seemed to grow angrier by the second.

As if he had any reason to be angry with her!

She, however, had every right to be angry with him. He had men following her everywhere she went. And let’s not forget the “we can be friends” line he’d dished, and yet she, the lowly human-slash-disgusting-Phoenix, wasn’t worthy of staying in his precious sex room. Instead, he’d offered to put her up in what amounted to a prison cell. Stark and empty and devoid of any of the luxury he was only too happy to heap on his other lovers.

And yet...

He’d battled demons for her and taken care of her, feeding her some kind of healing liquid. Then he’d tenderly cleaned every drop of blood from her, so that she wouldn’t show her cray-cray side. He’d apologized for treating her cruelly, and she was certain he’d meant it. He’d invited her to stay in his home for the rest of her life.

Leaving him on that bed, without throwing herself into his arms, had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. But she wasn’t falling under his sexy-sexy-boom-boom enchantment a second time.

New life goals: resist Thane, make bank, open a shelter for immortal halfings, and hire a chef to feed them.

That way, people like her would always have somewhere to go.

“Elin,” Thane called, jolting her out of her thoughts.

Not good for the first goal. The sound of his voice still had the power to make her shiver.

She dragged her feet to his table. “What?”

The scarred man smiled at her before standing and leaving the club. Thane remained in his seat, peering at her; she thought she saw longing in the soulful depths of his ocean-blue eyes. Longing her body responded to, her nipples puckering...her stomach quivering.

“You look beautiful,” he said, a husky edge to his tone, making her shiver all over again. “You always look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” What you need, Vale, is distance. “Is that all, boss man? Because I’m, like, superbusy.”

Not necessarily a lie. Pondering all things Thane was demanding work.

He frowned. “No. That’s not all.”

“Well, too bad,” she said, and the people at the table next to his gasped at her daring. Obviously, eavesdropping was the special du jour. “I’m taking off anyway.”

She turned away, but he latched on to her wrist, keeping her in place. The point of contact burned in the most delicious way, and she experienced her third shiver. Something had to be wrong with her.

“Are you cold?” he asked. “I can have a robe fetched.”

Why did he always want to give her a robe? “I’m fine.” Can’t let his concern screw with my emotions.

A pause, as if he searched for the right words to say. Then, “Has anyone given you any trouble?”

“Yes.” She glanced over her shoulder, saying, “I’m looking at him right now. Let go.”

Another gasp from the neighboring table.