“Great,” I say. Then in one swift move, I press the knife to Christo’s throat again. Belle gasps, butChristo just stares at me, eyes wide. “And if you ever lay your hands on my fiancée again, I will gutyou before you get the chance to take another breath.”
I turn the knife around and hand it back to him, handle out. Christo takes it from me gently and slides itback into his pocket. Immediately, the tension in the room eases.
“You two weren’t engaged the last time I was here,” he remarks.
“Some might even say ‘unofficial,’” Belle mutters.
I step back and lean against the counter next to her. My hip brushes hers, and I have the urge to shieldher body with mine. But Christo, for what it’s worth, is keeping his eyes very far north of Belle’sequator.
Christo looks between
