Back in the hotel suite, Flynn barks out a laugh. “Why do I feel like we just got busted by someone’s dad?”
Beatrix tells him to shut up. It should make me smile, but I have nothing left tonight.
“How did you know where to find me?” I murmur as I pad down the hall toward my room.
When he doesn’t respond, I peek over my shoulder. He’s following me, tracking my every move with an intensity that nearly bowls me over.
He extends one arm, like he’s going to reach out and steady me. Before he can make contact, I quicken my pace, determined to stay out of reach.
“I followed Kenji up and took a lucky guess,” he finally admits. “Where are we?—”
“My room’s down the next corridor,” I explain, forcing myself to continue without glancing back again.
CHAPTER 59
EVANGELINE
Ican’t do this.
The tightness in my chest and the tremors in my arms are clear indicators that I’m going to melt down sooner rather than later. With every fiber in my being, I donotwant to break in front of Alaric.
He’ll want to fix it.
I’ll want to let him.
My mind is hazy with exhaustion and overwhelm, my spirits lower than I can ever remember. I can’t even comprehend the potential fresh layer of heartbreak I’m inviting in by being alone with this man. But I’m out of self-preservation. Apparently, I’m out of everything. I’ve got nothing left to lose.
I swipe my key card and hold the door open, then follow him in and wander to the kitchen. With concerted effort I heave myself onto a barstool, then turn my attention to him.
He shuffles up to the opposite side of the island, dragging a hand through his hair. “I don’t even know where to begin.”
Disappointment and quiet, indignant rage coalesce inside me. Despite the overwhelming sensations, my emotions are out of reach. Like this is happening to someone else, and I’m a bystander, watching the horrors unfold.
Defeated, I wait him out, each silent second stretching into a fresh pang of heartbreak. If he doesn’t know where to start, I guess that leaves the emotional labor of this conversation on me. I release a stuttering breath, willing my lip not to tremble. Then I begin.
“You unexpectedly broke up with me after assuring me over andover that I was all you wanted. You crushed me, Alaric. Tuesday night, at the condo? You made assumptions, steamrolled over me, and then walked out like I meant nothing to you. Oh, and your son got someone pregnant while he was dating me, which I had to find out in the most humiliating fashion. So I guess I don’t really know where to begin either.”
He squeezes his eyes closed, shaking his head. “I’m so incredibly sorry. I know that means little in the grand scheme of things, but I wanted to start by acknowledging how fucked up this whole situation truly is.”
“Why are you apologizing?” I ask, my voice nearly unrecognizable, every inch of me numb. “You ended things between us. You don’t owe me anything.”
He shudders, as if the statement is painful for him.
A humorless laugh escapes me.
“I should be thanking you,” I say. “You broke me so thoroughly and completely that Luca’s bullshit hasn’t even really registered.”
He stalks around the counter, closing the space between us.
“I regret everything that happened at my condo that night.” He reaches for me, but I recoil.
Both hands held up in front of him, he takes a measured step back.
“I know.” I peer up at him through my lashes, swallowing hard. I can do this. Once I get through this, I can send him on his way. Once I’m alone, I can break. “I figured it out. Why you broke up with me… Leslie’s involvement and your misguided motivations.”
His eyes go wide and a puff of air escapes him.
“I showed up at your office tonight prepared to resign. There’s—” My voice cracks. Dammit. I duck, fighting like hell to maintain my composure, then force myself to meet his eye again. “There’s nothing I want more than to be with you. Or so I thought.”
