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That would change soon enough, and it was breaking her heart.
“Today everything is finally clear. I…” She shook her head. “I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent with you both. You’ve opened my eyes, shown me things, made me feel things. Because of you, I’ve smiled and had something to look forward to. And I wish I had more to give you. But I…” More tears fell. “I don’t. I can’t. There’s no future.” Her chest ached, and Heavenly wondered if she’d ever be the same. When Raine had asked her a while ago if she loved them, she hadn’t been sure. Now, Heavenly knew the answer. “I have to go.”
She whirled for the door, but Beck wrapped his fingers around her elbow and pulled her back to face him. The shock and pain flaring in his dark eyes and across his furrowed brow stabbed her with regret. Gosh, the thought of not seeing his face every day, of not sitting across from him at lunch, of never hearing his laugh or feeling his mouth on hers…
“Wait. I don’t know what you think we expect from you, but let’s sit down and talk.”
“Why do you think there’s no future?” Seth demanded. “Talk to us.”
She had no explanations left to give them. Telling them about her father, her dire circumstances, her problems, would only mire them down. They might even try to help. They were kind like that. But she didn’t need meddling or good intentions. These responsibilities were all hers.
“There’s nothing more to say,” Heavenly choked out as Seth stuck a fist in her hair and forced her gaze to his. His image blurred through her tears, but there was no way she couldn’t see his confusion and hurt. And it gutted her. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t say you’re sorry. Tell us what’s wrong. If you’re not upset about the pranks, then what?” he went on. When she didn’t answer, determination stamped his face. “I won’t just let you leave when you’re the reason for everything good in my life. That’s why I moved here, started again.”
“Y-you moved?” She hadn’t realized that, and guilt wracked her even harder. “I thought you’d just come back to help your friends and…”
But he’d returned again after the end of Hammer’s troubles. And he had an apartment. Why hadn’t she pieced that together?
“I came back this time for you,” Seth reiterated. “Whatever you’re thinking, I’m not expecting you to do anything to please me except be yourself.”
“You can’t leave.” Beck gripped her shoulders and pulled her against his body. She couldn’t not meet his stare. “I need you.”
Her heart thudded harder toward its slow, painful death.
“Don’t. Please. Just…” More tears fell before she could stop them as she shrugged free. “Let go.”
As she ran for the door to leave before she fell apart, Liam stepped into her path. “I’ve called you a taxi, little one. It’s already paid for, and he’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
She searched his kind face. He really could read her mind, and for once she was grateful. “Thank you.”
As Heavenly opened the door, she knew she shouldn’t…but she couldn’t stop herself from looking over her shoulder at the two men she’d fallen hard for, who stared back at her, their faces utterly destroyed.
“I’m sorry.” She choked on her words, on regret.
Then she was gone.
As the door closed behind Heavenly with a final click, all the air left the room. Beck dropped into the nearest chair and lowered his head into his hands. The guilt he’d been feeling when he’d arrived had given way to shock and devastation. The sound of her voice, cracked and filled with pain… And her fucking tears. Why?
Beside him, Seth slid onto the sofa, looking equally stunned and flattened. “What the hell just happened?”
“I have no idea.” Beck shook his head. “If this had nothing to do with the pranks, what did we do?”
Seth just shook his head.
“I’m sorry. Even I didn’t see this coming.” Liam sauntered into the room. “We were talking, and she seemed all right, if a little perturbed. Then Raine asked her about her feelings. Heavenly loves you, more than she realizes. She said so…but something turned in her head. I don’t know what. I do know she’s making a mistake and my warning stands. The looming darkness is already tearing her away. If you want her back, you’ll have to peel her open now.”
Beck whirled on him. “How about you speak English? And how the fuck did you think we’d peel her open after you put her in a goddamn cab and let her get away?”
Seth ignored him and turned to Liam. “What is she hiding?”
“You think that has something to do with why she left us?” Beck demanded.
“Every instinct I have after eight years as a cop tells me yes.”
Liam nodded. “If it helps at all, the decision tore her apart. I could feel her agony over the fact that she’s not ready for the future. But I can’t tell you why.”
