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He glances up. “No.”
I will not be deterred, so I enter the room, taking a seat across from him. It doesn’t go unnoticed that my pillow is no longer next to his desk. Guess he’s already moving on, which is fine. I have bigger things to worry about.
“Clayton Greystoke hurt me, Kieran. He’s a monster and I refuse to be around him.”
Kieran doesn’t look up, and hums under his breath. “Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“From what I’ve been told, you’ve been quite enamored with the younger Greystoke. He’s attractive, and you’re young.”
“Who said that I was enamored with him? Clayton?” I scoff. “And my age has nothing to do with this.”
He doesn’t answer me, making me mad.
“He said I won’t be allowed to sign a prenup with his father. He’s also said that his father is going to die soon and that when he does, he’s going to marry me even though I’ve made it clear that’s not what I want.”
Kieran says, “He’s just trying to make sure that everything is perfect for his father, who likely won’t be on this earth much longer.”
“Are you even listening to me?” I hold up my arm, where the bruising is hard to miss. “He did this so I wouldn’t forget what he said to me.”
He doesn’t look up. “He mentioned your arm. Said you tripped when the two of you were walking and that you hurt your arm when he caught you.”
I bark out a laugh. “Do you hear yourself? Kieran, he hurt me on purpose, and it had nothing to do with me tripping or stumbling. He’s hurt me several times. I know you think this is some pathetic attempt on my end to stay with you, but that’s not what this is.”
He looks at me this time, staring at me as if challenging me to say another word, but I’m not going to back down. Not when my time is running out.
“He twisted my arm to where I was sure he was going to break a bone and said that soon no one could stop him from hurting me. You asked me once if I couldn’t or wouldn’t marry Max Erics. Well, I’m telling you, Iwon’tmarry Clayton when his father dies. And I need you to swear that you won’t let it happen.”
“In a few days, you will no longer be my concern, pet.”
“Stop with all the bullshit, Kieran. This is serious. I don’t care that in a few days I’ll no longer be your concern. I’m telling you; I’m worried about my life.”
He says nothing.
Hot tears fill my eyes.
“I get it. You don’t love me. Point taken. Now, pull your head out of your ass and listen to what I’m saying.”
“I hear you, pet. I simply don’t care.”
* * *
Kieran
I feel fucking sick after Ari leaves my office. The look on her face is going to haunt me for the rest of my life. I want to rush after her and tell her I do care. I care so much that I’m risking everything for her. But what good will it do if I can’t fucking protect her?
My phone dings and Jane’s name flashes across the screen. When she found out I was going to Italy, she foolishly thought I was going to get her a wedding present and insisted that she come along. It worked out in my favor, though, because something she said during our trip stuck out. Something that I have my team working on. Something that may end this sham of a relationship with Jane.
Lifting the phone, I answer, “Jane. What a surprise.”
I’ll play this game for a little while longer. When I strike, no one will see it coming.
20
Ari
I simply don’t care.
