“The truth,” she shot back. “For once, just tell me the truth without trying to manage it.”
My jaw tightened. “I’m not trying to manage anything.”
“Bishop,” she said, sharper now, stepping closer to me. “What is it then?” she pressed. “Because clearly it’s not just sex anymore.”
I looked up at her. “I didn’t plan for this,” I said finally.
Her face shifted slightly. “That’s supposed to make me feel better?” she asked.
“No,” I admitted.
“So what is it?” she asked again, softer this time.
I hesitated. “It’s different."
Her eyes closed briefly. “Different how?” she asked, opening them again.
I leaned forward, resting my forearms on my thighs, staring down at the floor for a second before looking back up at her. “I’m not in control of it,” I said honestly.
Eva backed up a bit like the words physically hit her. She let out a quiet breath, shaking her head slowly. I swallowed.
“Eva—”
“No,” she said, holding her hand up. “Don’t.” She turned away from me and walked out, slamming the door behind her.
Fuck. This wasn't supposed to happen. But it was…and the only way I could fix this was to make a clean break. Stop fucking with Gianna. Cut her ass off like a cancerous tumor. But even as I sat there, I knew I wasn’t prepared to do that just yet. I still wanted her. Even in this moment I wanted her.
When I walked into Siren House the next night, I was prepared to make this my final time being here. The shit was getting too complicated and the lines were starting to blur. I just needed one final taste to satisfy me and I was gone.
I stood in the bar, back towards the door, hands in my pockets waiting for Gianna. I let out a slow breath. A pair of hands slid over my chest but before I could turn my head, a voice curled into my ear.
"Hey, Daddy."
I turned my head. "Monroe. What's good?”
She dragged her hands around towards my chest, sliding in front of me. "You. I've missed you." She purred hands dragging up and down my chest. "I wasn't expecting you to completelyjump ship on me." She leaned in closer. "You've hurt my feelings, Boss. I'm a little bitchy when my ego is wounded."
I let out another exhale before taking her wrists. "Your money ain't stopping 'cause of me, Monroe."
"It's not just about the money and you know that." Her eyes held mine, sharp and a little bruised under all that attitude.
I released her wrists slowly, but I didn’t step back. “Then what is it about?” I asked,
"I don’t like being replaced," she said firmly.
I ran my hand down my beard shaking my head. This whole situation was starting to take on a life of its own. "You don't have to worry about that anymore. This is my last night here."
She blinked rapidly. "What? What do you mean?" Her eyes sharpened. "What did that bitch do to you."
I tilted my head slightly, irritation creeping in. “Ain’t nobody do nothing to me,” I replied. “Watch how you talking.”
"She got you switching up on me and I need to watch how I'm talking?" she shot back.
I grabbed her wrist again, firmer this time. “You getting out of line.”
Her lips parted. She leaned in closer her eyes locked on mine. “I don’t like her,” she said quietly. “I don’t like the way you look at her. I don’t like the way you move when she's around.”
I held her gaze, unbothered on the surface. “That’s not your concern.”
