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“What?”
I’m shocked.
How the hell does Luke know about Damon and me?
“You two are in some kind of fucked-up relationship, aren’t you?” Luke asks me coolly. “You two have some real weird-ass thing that you are trying to keep secret from everyone?”
Fuck.
“What are you talking about, Luke? You’re crazy. Listen to yourself. Me and Damon Penmayne? Is this why you’ve popped up here?”
“Come on, Ava,” he replies matter-of-factly. “You know me. I’ve got friends all over Crystal River. Nothing goes on in this town without my knowledge. I know about you and Damon Penmayne. I can see it as clear as fucking day. You always were a shit liar, and here you are again with your shit lies.”
“Luke...”
He cuts me off immediately. “There’s no need trying to deny it. I'm gonna spill the beans about you two, and everyone will take me at my word. Folks in this town already quaking in their boots when it comes to the Penmaynes, and if I drop the bomb, you and your old man will be even bigger pariahs. You've got it coming.”
“Don’t do that, Luke.”
He is most definitely right in what he threats; he’s got connections. He can really ruin Dad and me.
“I really could destroy you,” he says. “Just a few words from me and you two arefucked. Remember, you’ve brought this on yourself. You’re the one who chose to getinvolved with a murderous criminal. I’m here to make sure you’re held accountable for your actions.”
“I don’t want a war,” I reply. “Damon is very territorial, trust me. You don’t want to mess with the guy.”
“So, it’s true then? You and Damon? You and a fucking criminal? You disgust me, Ava.”
“Luke,please...”
“I don’t care about Damon or the Penmaynes,” he spits back. “In fact, I hate them, and Dad’s always hated them, and now it’s my turn to get back at them. Damon’s not a good man, Ava. His brothers are not good men.”
“Yeah,” I reply, “and neither are you.”
Luke melodramatically places his hand over his heart like he’s been shot. It’s all a sarcastic game to him. “Thatreallyhurts, Ava. How can you say something like that when your own dad is in debt to one of the worst men in the country? You’ve got such a terrible sense of perspective. You’ve truly done this all on your own. You and your dad have fucked yourselves over in your own ways.”
“Maybe I do have a terrible taste in men,” I retort. “I mean, I did date you for years.”
Luke chuckles. “Oh, Ava. So pathetic. How about you run off to your little gangster squeeze now? Go and cry to him about me. Get one of his little goons to chase after me. I bet the man can’t do shit himself. I bet he would be scared of getting into a fight with me.”
“You don’t know anything about Damon.”
“Sure, I do. It seems like I know a hell of a lot more about him than you, Ava. I know he is a bad man you would be stupid to get involved with.”
“What do you want?” I ask him. “Why are you really here? Do you just want to tell me you’re going to ruin my reputation around town? Because guess what? You’vealready done that by telling everyone about Dad’s addiction. What else is there for you to do to me?”
Luke is really enjoying this. It’s clear to see. “I truly want nothing, Ava. All I simply wanted was to see the look on your face when I told you I’ve discovered your dalliance with the Penmayne and, I must say, it hasn’t been a disappointment in the slightest.”
“Please don’t tell anyone, Luke...”
Luke smiles. “You’ve bitten off more than you can chew, Ava. You always were like this, chasing after money and fame. Even when you were with me. So goddamn superficial. I’m glad I cut you off. Such a waste of time dealing with a bimbo airhead. You would really fit in, being the trophy wife of a gangster. I can picture you with him so clearly now. Nothing but a has-been bimbo airhead.”
“Why are you so cruel?” I ask him, a lump rising in my throat.
“Because you’re playing around with a man who Dad and I detest,” Luke replies.
“Is that all you’ve come here to do?” I ask him, close to tears. “Just to insult me? Try to make me cry? Because I won’t. Not in front of you.”
Luke smiles.
