Page 155 of Deceived Wrath

“You’re…going out?”

He stiffens, then turns his head toward me.

His eyes drag over me slowly, taking in my damp hair and the oversized T-shirt hanging off one shoulder. But instead of seeing that familiar need in his eyes that I’ve grown to crave, I see nothing but the cold, distant look he wore over dinner.

“Yeah. I need to take care of something.”

A knot forms in my stomach. “Now?”

“It can’t wait.”

I step off the last step, unsure why I suddenly feel like I’m intruding. “Were you even going to say anything?”

“I was going to tell you.”

That sounds like a lie, but he won’t look at me long enough for me to get a read on him.

“Is everything okay?” I ask softly.

For a second, his brows pull together as if he’s in pain, but he shuts it down with brutal efficiency, making me question whether it was ever there in the first place.

“Everything’s fine.”

I don’t believe him because it feels like he’s miles away, like I’m losing him. It’s a far cry from the way he was this morning, kissing me and reassuring me that everything is going to be all right. Something has happened to make him pull away from me, and the only explanation I can think of is the one I’m hoping is not true.

“Cormac…” I try again, but my voice cracks.

Is this it? Is this the last time I’ll ever see him?

I’d rather he takes the knife that I know is in his pocket and just slits my throat because the not knowing is torture.

“Cormac,please. Tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

There it is again, offering me that same vague reassurance when I know what he really wants to say isdon’t ask questions.

“Will you be back soon?” I hate how small I sound.

“Later.”

That’s all I get. He doesn’t even say goodbye, let alone offer me a kiss. And suddenly, the cozy night I imagined we would share feels naïve, stupid even.

I stand there for a few seconds long after the elevator doors slide shut, listening to the silence he leaves behind as my heart cracks open inside my chest.

I run a hand through my damp hair and try to swallow past the lump in my throat.

I thought we were… I don’t know, growing closer, shifting into something real. But the distance he just put between us? That wasn’t an accident. That was deliberate.

And it hurts like hell.

I make my way into the kitchen, hoping a glass of water will help settle me. But it doesn’t.

My hands shake so much I spill some on the counter while my thoughts start to spin out of control.

Considering how late it is, there’s no way Cormac is off to do something that isn’t illegal or dangerous, or both, and I can’t help thinking I’m the reason he’s out there tonight. I’m the reason he’s spiraling. If I hadn't gotten tangled up in Lorcan’s threats, if I hadn’t agreed to spy, if I hadn't lied…

My stomach twists hard.