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I cross my arms. Facing off with him even though I’m a dandelion compared to this gigantic-sized tornado. “Am I right?”
He nods once.
“Is there something you need to tell me?”
The silence is blistering. His expression is tortured. After a hard exhale, he asks, “I should be asking you that, Carra. Is there anythingyouneed to tellme?”
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
In the back of my mind, Max’s words echo. I’ve come too far to fuck up this game. But I just have. If I didn’t damage things badly enough before, I’ve just brought a whole new dynamic into this shit-show.
Carra stares at me. I try to get my fucking tongue under control when I want to scream and demand answers about her being pregnant.
Eyes hardening, she clamps her mouth closed. Puts one hand on the door handle, shoves me out of the way with the other. “It’s my turn to walk out and leave you fucked up. Just like you did me earlier.”
She jerks the door open. Then turns back to fry me with a searing look. “You might own me once that wedding happens. But not until that moment. So, no, Kieran, there’s absolutely nothing I want to say to you.”
That knife I felt in my gut earlier is securely lodged in my heart now. A piece of rock shouldn’t hurt like it does.
Motherfucker. The need to know if the baby is some other man’s is becoming overwhelming. At this point, I have no idea which answer would destroy me more thoroughly.
I stumble back until I’m leaned against the dresser. The weight of the pendants in my pocket crushes in on me.
Thinking she would be waiting for me was the most foolish mistake I’ve ever made in my life.
She’s beautiful, irresistible. She’s all woman. And remembering how she looked at me that afternoon seven years ago, feeling her eyes on me now shows me she’s clearly repulsed by the idea that I love her.
Which means one thing—she’s loves someone else.
I don’t know how I remain standing because I can’t breathe. My throat is full of daggers. My stomach is inside out and pumping acid throughout my body.
When I can’t take the sound of my own thoughts anymore, I stumble toward the bathroom where I hope the noise of falling water drowns out my agony and any tears that claw their way out of me.
I’m a walking shell of myself when I step out of the bathroom what feels like hours later. The light is off. Carra’s curled under the blankets.
My feet glue themselves to the floor.
She shifts, the blanket whispers in the dark. “Why don’t you get some sleep.” Her soft words reach out and wrap around me, a balm to my shredded nerves.
“I should. I’m gassed.” Truer words have never been uttered. I need sleep almost as badly as I need air.
“You can lie down here.”
“No. I shouldn’t.”
She shifts, spreads the blanket back. Below the cover, she’s fully clothed. “The other beds are occupied. But there’s room here for you.”
“What games are you playing, Carra?”
She sighs softly, rolls on her side so she’s facing me. “No games, you need to rest. Things are hard right now. I’ve accepted that you’re not going to just turn me lose but I’d also like to believe you will respect my wishes and not force me to do anything I don’t want apart from the ridiculous marriage, so I’m done fighting for the moment. I need to preserve what there is left of me.”
My throat tightens.
She smoothes her hand over the bed again. “Come on. Rest. In the coming week, we need to hold ourselves together. That includes sleep. I’m exhausted and you are too. I won’t rest if I think you’re out wandering the streets.”
I shake my head and puzzle at her logic. “You wouldn’t be happy if I got myself knocked off in the alley?”
Her face shows her horror. “No! Having time to cool my head allowed me to think about what you were trying to tell me. You said you’re going to try to make my life better, right? I’m counting on that. I’m choosing to believe you.”
