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“You took advantage of Amelia,�� Merripen said.
“Not that it matters,�� Cam said in Romany, “but how did you find out?��
Merripen’s huge hands flexed as if longing to rip him apart. Lucifer himself could not have had blacker, more burning eyes. “Speak in English,�� he said harshly. “I don’t like the old language.��
Frowning in curiosity, Cam readily complied.
“The maids were talking about it,�� Merripen replied. “I heard them standing outside my door. You dishonored one of my family.��
“Yes, I know,�� Cam said quietly.
“You’re not good enough for her.��
“I know that, too.�� Watching him intently, Cam asked, “Do you want her for yourself, chal?��
Merripen looked mortally offended. “She’s a sister to me.��
“That’s good. Because I want her for my wife.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“Merripen,�� Cam said slowly, “you’re going to have to find a way to tolerate me. Because there are things I can do for Amelia, and the rest of them, that you can’t.�� He continued in a level tone despite the look on Merripen’s face, which would have terrified a lesser man. “And I don’t have the patience to battle you every step of the way. If you want what’s best for them, either leave, or accept this. I’m not going anywhere.��
As the huge chal glared at him, Cam could almost see the progression of his thoughts, the weighing of options, the violent desire to mow down his enemy, all of it overshadowed by the urge to do what was right for his family.
“Besides,�� Cam said, “if Amelia doesn’t marry me, the gadjo will be after her again. And you know she’ll be better off with me.��
Merripen’s eyes narrowed. “Frost broke her heart. You took her innocence. Why does that make you any better?��
“Because I’m not going to leave her. Unlike the gadjos, the Rom are faithful to our women.�� Cam paused and measured out five seconds before adding deliberately, “You probably know that better than I.��
Merripen fixed his furious gaze at a point in the distance. “If you hurt her in any way…�� he finally said, “I’m going to kill you.��
“Fair enough.��
“I may kill you anyway.��
Cam smiled slightly. “You’d be surprised how many people have said that to me before.��
“No,�� Merripen said, “I wouldn’t.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight