Page 129 of Allegiant

“Don’t thank me yet,” I mutter. “Not saying this is going to change anything.”

“I know, but I’m sorry,” Samson starts. “I want to get that in there right away. I’m sorry for lying to you about who my family are. What we do. I’m sorry that you weren’t aware of what we were planning, or that Harley offered to play a part.”

“You aren’t apologizing for taking on the job in the first place?”

His brow furrows. “Why would I do that?”

Is he fucking serious? I try and shove past him, but Samson steps neatly to the side, showing a grace that rivals my own. “Wait, why does that upset you?”

“Are you for real?” I bellow, my voice echoing off the mirror behind us. “You were hired to murder me. Aren’t you the least bit sorry about that?”

“How can I be when it’s the reason we met?” Samson clasps my chin, forcing me to look at him. The sincerity in his eyes, his fingers burning a love letter on my skin. “In a better world, maybe we would’ve met in different circumstances. But there’s nothing to say our paths would ever have crossed.”

“So that makes it okay?”

“Yes. Because you’re the best thing to ever happen to me, Rowan Mitchell. I can’t regret that.”

Heat stings the corners of my eyes.

“I know we didn’t have the most traditional of beginnings,” Samson whispers, his voice cracking. “Never been one for tradition, to be honest. I leave all that shit up to my brothers. But with you? You give me hope for a life I thought was out of reach. One where I can dance. Laugh. Love. I want all of it. And I want it with you.”

Fuck, I want to believe him. I do. I’d give anything to be able to trust him the way I once did.

“You hurt me,” I whisper, a tear rolling down my cheek. “You would’ve kept this from me forever.”

“No,” he counters, wiping my tear away with his palm. “I would’ve told you eventually. I just needed my family on board first.”

His family. The reminder hits me in the solar plexus. They betrayed me too. I thought they were my friends. But from what Samson just said, they didn’t trust me. Not even at the end.

“I’m sorry.” I hiccup a sob, pushing gently out of his hold. This time, he lets me go. “I want to trust you, I do. But I can’t.”

My answer doesn’t seem to bother him. “What can I do to earn your trust? Tell me. Whatever it is, I can do it.”

I didn’t think my heart could break further, but it does. Because how can he prove I can trust him when I can’t let him in again? How can I explain that I don’t deserve happiness, and this situation proves it? That this thing between us was doomed from the start because that’s how it always goes for me?

I’m saved from answering by the door to the studio opening. Derek, the owner, freezes on the threshold. His tiny eyes narrow as he notes how close Samson and I are standing. “Am I interrupting something?”

Samson turns on a dime, shoving me behind him as he faces Derek with clenched fists. “Who the fuck are you?”

I groan inwardly. This is so not what I needed.

“I’m the owner,” Derek says, shrinking back slightly before remembering his usual pompous attitude. “And I’d like to know why one of my instructors is engaging in inappropriate behavior with a student.”

Samson growls, but I squeeze his waist. This isn’t a battle I need or want him to fight for me. He must understand my meaning, because he takes a single step to the side, letting me face Derek. “Nothing inappropriate is happening. We were having a conversation. That’s all.”

Derek sniffs, nodding toward the door. “Well, I need a moment of Rowan’s time. So if you’ll excuse us.”

Samson’s jaw bunches, but he nods, striding over to where he left his bag. He takes his sweet time, and I know he’s not going to leave without hearing whatever Derek has to say. Part of me is grateful. Derek never comes with good news. Usually he just stops in to tell me I’m getting yet another pay cut rather than the promotion I so richly deserve.

I bite back my sigh, smiling at my boss. “What can I do for you? If it’s about the show, I’m happy to report that everything is good to go. We’re almost fully sold out, too.”

Derek bustles over, ignoring Samson now. He doesn’t bother to check if he’s left before launching into what is clearly a prepared speech. “I’m going to be blunt with you. Rent’s gone up, and classes aren’t bringing in what we need them to.”

An icy sensation starts at the top of my head. It slowly slides down my face. My arms. My torso. My legs. No. Absolutely not. No.

“I’ve had an offer from a developer,” Derek blusters on. “It’s a good deal. Far too good to ignore.”

I’m numb. Completely frozen. Somehow, I manage to make my lips move. “What are you saying?”