Chapter 578
[ 485 words ]
Chapter 578:
The sudden, raw jealousy was so unexpected it left her momentarily speechless. “What? Jarrod, he was incredibly rude to me. He thought I was a maid. We are not friends.”
“I don’t care,” he bit out, the words sharp and clipped. “He has our father’s charm and none of his conscience. He uses it to get what he wants. He is a more significant threat to you, to us, than any external enemy. Do you understand me?”
The intensity was staggering. It made no sense.
“You can talk to anyone on that base,” he continued, his voice a low, dangerous growl. “You can make friends with the drill sergeants, the cooks, the goddamn quartermaster. But you will not have any non-essential contact with Peregrine. That is a direct order, Caroline.”
She rolled her eyes at the empty seat beside her. The man’s possessiveness was a clinical condition. It was absurd.
“Fine,” she sighed, the word heavy with resignation. “I’ll add him to the long list of men I’m not allowed to speak to. It’s getting crowded.”
а𝗱𝖽і𝗰t𝗂𝗏е 𝗇𝘰𝗏𝗲𝗹s 𝘰n 𝗀𝘢𝗅ո𝗈𝗏𝖾ls.с𝘰𝗆
She couldn’t resist a final jab. “Honestly, I think you should be more worried about the thousands of young, testosterone-fueled soldiers I’m about to be living with. They seem like a much bigger threat to your delicate sensibilities.”
A low, dangerous laugh echoed from the phone. It was a sound that made the hairs on her arms stand up.
“Good,” he purred, the sound vibrating with a dark, possessive pleasure. “You’ve just reminded me. When I get back, I’m going to have to spend a considerable amount of time making sure you remember, in no uncertain terms, exactly who you belong to.”
The implication was raw, explicit, and sent a hot, furious blush flooding her cheeks.
“You are an absolute pig,” she hissed into the phone.
His voice softened instantly, shifting from predator to a wounded, teasing lover. “I’m merely stating a fact, Mrs. Romero.”
She knew arguing would only encourage him. It was a game he always won. She fell silent, refusing to give him the satisfaction of another response.
She forced the conversation back to business, her voice cool and analytical again. “Harper won’t be the end of it. Cornelia will not let this go.”
“I know,” he said, his tone serious once more. “That’s why this is the best move. Keeping Harper in the army, under our direct supervision, is the safest place for her. And for you. It’s a risk-containment strategy.”
She understood. It wasn’t just punishment. It was a form of protective custody. A gilded cage, built of military regulations instead of iron bars.
The call was ending. She could hear the background noise on his end changing, the murmur of other voices.
“One more thing,” he said, his voice dropping back into that low, possessive register. “Until you ship out… no more unscheduled meetings with any… unattached… male friends.”
The order was half-joking, half-deadly serious.
“Goodbye, Jarrod,” she said, and hung up before he could say anything else.
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