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And every time, I’d assured him I had the situation under control. That I didn’t care about Imogene. That my priority still was, and always would be, making those responsible for what happened to Jonah and me pay.
Imogene was merely a pawn. Nothing more.
Although with every second I spent in her presence, I found myself becoming more drawn to her.
Case in point —last night.
I knew it was a bad idea the second I crushed my lips to hers. Hell, the second I walked into that room.
I’d reminded myself that using her like this was all part of my plan to eviscerate Liam’s existence. It was why I was so rough with her. Why I choked her, called her a whore. I thought it would serve as a reminder of her purpose to me.
It wasn’t supposed to make me feel anything for her.
But when I watched her nearly break into tears in front of me, I couldn’t ignore the guilt gnawing at my stomach and eating at my soul.
I hated seeing her so broken.
Hated the knowledge that it was my fault — both SamuelandGideon.
“I told you they wouldn’t,” I said confidently, taking a slow sip of coffee.
The sun streamed through the open French doors as I sat in the cozy breakfast nook, the entire space bathed in a warm, golden light. The soft breeze from the ocean wafted in, carrying the gentle roar of the waves crashing against the shore.
“After all, I’m a dead man.” I winked. “None of them doubted my story for a second.”
“None of them?” He arched a brow, a silent reminder that there was one person whocouldput the pieces together, especially after last night.
I saw it in her eyes as she stared at me after I made her see stars. After I felt her body shudder.
After I kissed her with the same tenderness I once did.
I didn’t know what had come over me. It was habit, muscle memory kicking in.
But when she pushed me away and looked at me with so much agony, I knew I had misstepped. Knew exactly what she was thinking about — our past.
Or, more accurately, her past with Samuel.
“Alton took the bait,” I told Henry, ignoring his question. “Wants to discuss how he can make me even richer at the golf tournament next weekend. Which I’ve scored an invite to.”
Henry choked on his coffee, coughing as he struggled to catch his breath. “Don’t tell me you accepted.”
“Sure did. Sent in my entrance fee this morning. It’s for a good cause.”
“Let me get this straight.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, obviously irritated by this turn of events. “You just accepted an invite to the golf tournament Liam Pierce hosts every year to benefit the charity you once spearheaded. The golf tournament that’s known as the Samuel Tate Invitational.”
“And that’s not all. I’ll be playing on a foursome with Liam, Alton, and James. Just like old times.”
“For fuck’s sake.” He clenched his fists, briefly squeezing his eyes shut. “You know I’ll always have your back, right? That I completely support your reasons for wanting them dead?”
“It’s why I trust you more than anyone else in my life.”
“I don’t like this, Sam.”
I parted my lips to correct him, but he cut me off.
“Gideon. Sorry.”
I nodded my acceptance of his apology. It was my first rule when we started down this path. I was no longer Samuel Tate. According to the world, he was dead.
