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I cup his cheeks, his rough stubble teasing my palms as I take in every intricate detail of his harsh beauty. He’s unbelievably gorgeous. Even more so now that I know him.
Trust him.
“Are you okay?” He rests his forehead against mine
“No.”
He guides me to stand, keeping his hands on my hips as he scrutinizes me. “What is it?”
I glance down the hall, making sure we don’t have an audience before I whisper, “What about Torian? What are you going to do about him?”
A half-hearted smile pulls at his lips. “Don’t worry about him.”
“But he practically said he’s going to make you his bitch.”
“He can’t make me do anything.” He leans in, placing his mouth deliciously close to my ear. “He knows he’s nothing but another pull of the trigger if he gets on my bad side. As far as I’m concerned, he did us a solid today, and I’m thankful.”
He retreats a step, his hands moving to my shoulders to give a gentle squeeze. The gesture is friendly, not affectionate. A goodbye, not a demand to stay by his side forever like I want.
He’s pulling away from me, not just physically as he places farther space between us, but emotionally.
I frown. “What’s going on?”
“I’m giving you what you need, Sarah.” He sucks in a deep breath. “I’m letting you go.”
My heart ceases to beat. My chest cracks open, exposing a hollow cavern.
“I won’t follow,” he continues. “I won’t play any more games.”
I should be relieved he’s giving me what I asked for. He’s giving me the space to get my life back on track, the solitude to regroup and reassess. But the celebratory emotions are non-existent.
I’m devastated.
Shattered.
“What about the police?” I ask. “What about the investigation?”
“You don’t need to worry about either. As far as they’re concerned, Jacob and Carlos killed each other, and you weren’t even there.”
“Go on.” He jerks his head toward the door, his expression turning to stone. “I paid the cab driver to wait for you and drive you back to your apartment or wherever you want to go.”
It’s not my apartment. Not anymore. But that’s the last thing on my mind.
“I’ll organize a moving van and get your furniture back to you tomorrow.”
I drag my gaze from him, unable to look him in the eye. “You might need to hold onto my things for a while longer. It’s not my apartment anymore. Brent would’ve found someone else by now.”
“I hope not,” he murmurs. “Because I paid him to hold it for you weeks ago.”
He did?
“I knew this would all work itself out sooner or later, and I didn’t want you to lose your home,” he answers my unspoken question. “You have nothing to worry about anymore, Sarah.”
Nothing but loneliness and heartbreak.
I nod. “Right. I’ll get going, then.”
I don’t move. I can’t.
I want to stay. With him. With Decker. In this crazy life that not only tipped my world upside down but rocked my foundations. But maybe that’s the adrenaline talking, or the pounding headache, or the lack of restful sleep.
He gives me a sad smile and swings out an arm to lead me to the door. He’s calm. Stoic.
It tears me apart.
He pulls the door wide, giving me a view of the mansions and manicured gardens outside, along with the cab waiting in the drive.
How do I say goodbye to this man? The one who tricked me with his lies and won me over with his loyalty.
“Thank you for everything,” I murmur.
“You’re thanking me now?” He gives a subtle grin, that dimple stu
“Yes. For what you did today, I’ll be forever grateful.”
He lowers his gaze, that grin turning somber. “Don’t mention it.”
I keep my head high, faking determination as I walk outside into the dimming late-afternoon sun, and approach the cab.
I don’t want to leave, but it’s the only thing I know. I’m always ru
“Wait,” he calls.
I freeze, as if moving even an inch will stop him from trying to make me stay. My belly tumbles as his footsteps approach, then he grabs my hand and gently glides me around to face him.
My lungs seize as he leans in, placing the sweetest, softest, most flawless kiss on my tingling lips. I could die from the pleasure. From the affection and pure perfection.
Then he steps back, turns toward the house, and stalks away. “Goodbye, princess.”