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He backed me into the wall so hard the shelf next to me rattled and the book resting on it fell with a smack to the floor. His other hand grabbed my chin, fingers digging into my jaw. “Who the fuck are you?” he ground out.
“Catalina.” I whimpered as his fingers tightened.
“No. No.” He was right in my face and if it wasn’t for the wall and him holding me, I would’ve fallen my legs shook so badly. “You’re fuckin’ lying to me.”
“Alina. You called me Alina,” I quickly added.
“Alina,” he said under his breath, brows lowering as if he was concentrating. “Alina,” he repeated.
“Yes,” I whispered then slowly reached up and eased his hand off my jaw. His eyes remained on me while I lowered his hand then linked our fingers together while resting on his chest.
He closed his eyes and for a moment, the lines around his mouth eased.
It was so beautiful I wanted to weep. Because in those messed-up, forgotten moments, hope was found.
He pressed his body up against mine, our hands crushed between us, our heartbeats pounding. He kept his eyes closed as he bent, so his mouth was a breath away from mine, but he didn’t kiss me; instead, his forehead rested on mine and he inhaled long and deep.
Then he said, “Get out. We’re done.” He shoved away from me, turned, and took long strides across the room to the island. He picked up parts of his gun and clicked them in place. Then his fingers reached for the bullets and he placed them in the chambers.
He glanced at me and shouted, “Now!”
I quickly grabbed my blouse off the floor and yanked it on as I ran for the door.
I attempted to do up the buttons on my blouse, but my hands were shaking too badly, so I yanked it together and tied it like a halter-top.
Putting my hand on the doorknob, I hesitated. Shivers rose on the back of my neck and I swore his eyes were on me, but I didn’t dare look back because I couldn’t witness that coldness again.
I didn’t want to know if he was pointing his gun at me. And I sure as hell didn’t want to know if the man I loved was going to shoot me in the back.
I threw open the door and for the first time in my life, I ran with fear ripping through me.Present DayTHE DOOR CLICKED closed behind me and I was halfway across the bar before I noticed the unusual silence. Avalanche was still closed but the music was usually blasting and staff bustled and chatted while getting ready to open. No blasting. No bustling. No chatter.
I looked up and stopped.
Kai, Deck, and Vic were at the bar. Matt stood behind it and the only one sitting and looking relaxed was Kai. His brows lifted when I caught his eye and he offered a somewhat reassuring half smile. At least he wasn’t pissed. Well, I couldn’t be sure of that either. It was Kai, the master of concealing his true emotions.
Deck, on the other hand, had his arms crossed, stance shoulder-width apart and a seriously pissed off look. No concealment there as he boldly displayed his displeasure, but there was also what I thought was relief. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Vic always looked pissed so I couldn’t read whether he really was or not. I was beginning to wonder what Vic’s issue was. I’d never witnessed him smile even when I’d first seen him playing football.
Something happened to that guy, but I had my own issues to worry about.
I straightened my shoulders and headed toward them, my shoes clicking on the floor and the air feeling a lot like it was heavy, thick smog. I glanced at Matt who flipped up the bar flap and approached me.
“You good?” He put his hand on the small of my back then positioned himself in front so he blocked the guys from me. “You don’t want to talk to them right now, tell me.”
God, he was a good guy. I was surrounded by people who really cared about one another. I never had that except with my brother. I’d never been close to my parents, mostly because they worked all the time. But the guys were close, even Kai, but I think that was because of London. She tied him to everyone and he’d do anything for her.
“I have to,” I replied. Connor’s time had run out and he was either going to disappear or he’d have to confront Deck. There was no other option because Deck would find him if he continued to watch me.
Matt nodded. “You need me, I’ll be in the office. Staff are in the kitchen.”
“We won’t be long,” Deck said. “Give us ten minutes.”
“Sure,” Matt said, then gave me one last glance before he went in the back.
