This was everything Jasper had come to understand about Rory during the past few days he had spent at her side.
He had given her nearly all of himself—his patience, his gentleness, his loyalty, and his devotion without reservation. The only part he kept carefully hidden was the darkest sliver of his soul, reserved for actions she could never know about and would never forgive. Things like poisoning Gina and her mates.
But he did it for Rory.
And precisely because of that, he could never let her find out. Never.
The thought alone was enough to make his chest tighten. Rory was too kind, too honest. If she knew what he had done, she would be hurt—and worse, she would blame herself. Jasper could endure anything except that. His loyalty to her was absolute, unwavering, and total, even if it meant becoming someone she would despise in the shadows.
The moment Jasper stepped out of the villa, his obedient, gentle façade fell away like a discarded mask.
