Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 67324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
“What?” he whispers, his voice a low, angry hiss that has me shivering.
“You’re in love with Briella. You have been since I’ve known you. I’m so goddamned stupid, because I knew that and I fucked you anyway.”
“My business has nothin’ to do with what you did to me,” he growls.
“No, you’re right, it didn’t. I went into that room because I wanted to know what made you so goddamned broken. I wanted to know what made you hate me so damned much. I should have told you when you took me in there but I was so happy that you were sharing something with me, and nothing was worth taking that away. I’m sorry I betrayed your trust—believe that. I’m not sorry that I feel the way I do, though.”
His jaw tightens, and he says nothing. He just stares at me with an expression that’s so hard, it makes my heart hurt. I want to go over to him and just grab him, pull him into my arms. I want to tell him that if he’d just let me in, I could make him feel better. But he’s not going to let me do that.
He’s not going to give in to me.
I step forward anyway, because what the hell have I got to lose?
I get so close we’re nearly nose to nose, both of us panting. “You’re broken, Mykel, but that was never my problem. My problem was you decided who I was before you ever gave me a chance. You never let me in, and you never trusted me. Don’t come in here now and try to make out like that’s my fault.”
His eyes hold mine, and my breathing hitches when he whispers, “I’ve never told another fuckin’ person what I told you. Never shared that. Never showed anyone.”
Oh god.
Oh no.
“I’m sorry,” I say softly.
“You need to get out of my house before I say something I’ll regret.”
I can’t stop it—a single tear rolls down my cheek, and in a tight voice, I say, “You have said so much already. There’s nothing else you could possibly say or do right now that would break me anymore.”
He jerks a little, like I’ve slapped him in the face. I hope it hurts. I do. I hope it makes him feel the same way he’s making me feel right now.
“I want you, Mykel. I hate that I do, but it’s how it is. I reacted tonight because you make me feel something . . . something I don’t understand. So, you can imagine just how much it fucking hurts to know that I mean absolutely nothing to you. That I’m nothing more than a fuck to bide your time in between partners. I’m worth a whole lot more than that.”
I step back and turn, swallowing the lump in my throat as I hurry up the stairs and into my room. I shut the door and lock it, and then I go over to my bed, sit on the end of it, and drop my head into my hands.
That was horrible, in all the ways it counts.
I just wish that man could see what I see.
Maybe then he’d let me in.
Instead he continues to push me away.
I hope he regrets that.
He might not be prince charming, but I was never looking for that.
I was just looking for something real.
Is that so much to ask?
“YOU’RE CLEAR ON WHAT you need to do?” Alarick asks me, and I feel his gaze one me, but I keep mine locked onto the table I’m sitting at.
I don’t want to look at Mykel.
I don’t want to look at the members of the club.
I just want to get this over and done with so I can leave—so I can go home and never come back here.
“Waverly?” Alarick calls, and I slowly lift my head, numbly meeting his gaze.
“Go in, find out where the key is, disable the security system, and get out of there,” he says. “It won’t be easy. It might take a bit for you to find the system, but like Samson showed you, there are ways to disable it from the inside without knowing the code. You’ve got cutters, you’ve got a gun, and you’ve got your phone. Need to know you understand exactly what’s at risk here?”
I stare blankly and nod slowly. “I get it.”
“Once it’s done, you get Dax out and keep him out for as long as you can. We’ll let you know when we’re done. Then that’ll be the last time you’re seen there with him. That clear?”
I nod again.
“Waverly, you good?” Cohen asks me, his voice a little concerned. “Lookin’ like you’re not with it.”
“I’m fine,” I say, softly. “I’m just ready for this to be over.”
“We’re goin’ to have you covered,” Kendric tells me. “We’ll make sure that nothin’ happens to you, and you get away from this safe. You feel me?”