Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88447 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88447 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
I tried to stand, but he looped an arm around my waist and dragged me back into bed with him. “Wouldn’t you have done the same thing?”
“I would have never betrayed your trust like that,” I growled while Vali came up to the bed to see what was going on.
“If you knew I could be in danger, and you could prevent it, wouldn’t you do it?”
“No,” I said obstinately as I wiggled away again, scooting over so I could pet Vali.
“I don’t believe that.”
Glaring at him over my shoulder, I grabbed a throw pillow and covered my nakedness with it as I rounded on him. “I would have talked to you about it first. I wouldn’t have been all sneaky and gone behind your back. Friends don’t do that to each other.”
His broad shoulders drooped a little bit, and he nodded. “You’re right.”
“What else? If you hacked into my system behind my back, what else did you do?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “A few things.”
“What else?” I growled.
“Everything I did was to keep you safe.”
To both our shock, I wacked him as hard as I could with the pillow I’d been holding against me. “You dick!”
Taking the pillow from me, he pounced on me, forcing me onto my stomach while he planted himself on my back. Our size difference allowed him to easily subdue me, but I hissed and spat while he held me down. My anger boiled over, and it seemed like every ounce of repressed anger and frustration I’ve ever experienced came rushing back. I called him every name in the book as I tried to buck him off me, my blood boiling hot.
“I’m sorry,” he kept repeating as I raged. “I’m so sorry.”
I probably would’ve kept fighting until I passed out, if it wasn’t for Vali’s barks. They snapped me out of my anger like a light switch flicking, and I went limp beneath Mark as I looked over at my very worried dog. His teeth were bared, and I was afraid he’d attack Mark in my defense if I didn’t calm the hell down.
Wiggling a hand up, I moved my hair from my face and noticed for the first time that I’d scratched Mark so hard in my rage that his forearm bled.
“Oh my God.” I gasped as I hesitantly touched the thick muscles of his forearm. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”
Gathering me into his arms, Mark sat cross-legged on the bed. He held me close as he rocked me. With the anger gone from my system like it had never existed, I felt numb and hollowed out. I’ve only lost my temper like that a few times in my life. Each time, it scared the hell out of me, reminding me of my mother when she flipped out.
I’d hurt him, just like she used to hurt me.
“No, no, no, no,” I moaned as a sick feeling spread through me. “I don’t want to be her, not ever.”
“Baby bear.” Mark forced me to look at him. “What are you talking about?”
“I don’t want to be like my mother. Her rage was incandescent, like a volcano erupting. Once she got angry, she’d destroy the world until her fury left her. I promised-I promised myself I’d never be like her…” I looked over at his arm, the scratches hidden because of our position and began to cry again. “But I got so angry, and I hurt you. I never want to hurt you. I lo..” I swallowed hard. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
During my speech, he’d kept his gaze locked with mine, and I felt such shame that my temper had snapped on him. “You’re being too hard on yourself. I’m okay, I promise.”
“You don’t understand—that’s not me. I hate feeling this angry. It’s like I can’t think past my fury.” I gave a slightly hysterical laugh. “It’s funny, because Leo tried to get me in touch with my aggressive side last night. To help me learn how to stand up for myself.” I shuddered. “Man, if this is the way I react to hypnosis, maybe I shouldn’t try that again.”
Mark moved me off his lap so fast, I would have fallen if we weren’t on his bed. “What did you say about hypnosis?”
“Um…” My palms grew sweaty with anxiety as he gave me a furious look. “He…Hannah…”
Closing his eyes, Mark took a deep breath and whispered, “Layla, did Leo hypnotize you?”
I managed to whisper, “Yes.”
Mark threw his head back and roared. “I’m going to fucking kill him!”
Like a shot, he was out of bed. He threw on his clothes so fast, it was a blur. Vali gave a worried bark from his dog bed on the other side of the room.
“Mark, wait! What’s going on? Where are you going?”
“To have a talk with Leo,” he snarled. “Stay here. I swear, Layla, if you’re not here when I get back, I will hunt you down until the end of my days.”