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My head spins.
How did everything get so twisted?
“I only stayed engaged to Brad to save them!” I shriek, no longer signing.
“Don’t.” Grim growls as he signs. “I don’t wanna see his fucking name cross your lips again.” His expression softens into a look of sympathy. “Your parents aren’t as squeaky clean as they want people to believe. They admitted that for years, they’ve been stealing money from your dad’s parishioners. Brad found out and blackmailed them for your hand in marriage. Once they figured out what a rotten bastard he truly is, you’d already disappeared. Your parents are using this distraction to take him out, and the club is working with them.” Grim pauses, watching me. “We’ve been searching but can’t find him. Your parents haven’t seen him either.”
I don’t speak. Ican’t. On the outside, I’m calm, but on the inside, I’m churning with fury. My stomach somersaults as everything hits me like a freight train.
This past year has been onefuckinglie after another.
First, Brad convinces me to go out on a date with him. I fall in love and accept his marriage proposal, only to find out I’m engaged to a raving lunatic. As if that isn’t a bitter pill to swallow, I’m left for dead, and Mr. Hulk here rescues me. He nurses me back to health and marries me to save me from a fate worse than death.
Now, I find out my parents used me as a sacrificial lamb to save their own skin. Sure, they reached out to the club for help, but it was a long timeafterI pleaded with them to call off the engagement. I swore after Brad I wouldn’t give my heart away so easily, if at all.
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, in name only, but Grim tore through my defenses. And unlike with Brad, the sting of his betrayal is worse than Brad’s fist beating the shit out of me.
Unable to stay quiet any longer, I speak. “You met with my parents and have been working with thembehindmy back?” It feels wrong not to sign, but I can’t make my hands cooperate.
Grim rakes his hands through his hair, and I want nothing more than to feel that connection with him again. It was as if our souls called to each other when we made love. No, not love. He doesn’t love me, it was just anotherfuckinglie. It was sex. Nothing more, nothing less.
I snatch my purse off the chair and slip on a pair of shoes. I glance at Grim one more time, but he’s only staring at me like I’m about to crack. Hell, maybe I am. I want him to admit he doesn’t love me, that he’s only with me because I remind him of his mom.
Despite everything, I was the dumb one… again. I fell in love, and he didn’t.
Those haunting ice-blue eyes bore into mine. and I turn away before I cave and seek his comfort. I look over my shoulder, making sure he can see my lips.
“I hope it was worth it.”
I open the door and run.
“Stop!” Grim bellows. He’s using his voice, but I can’t let that deter me from my mission. I need to get out of here and think.
I barrel into the common room and run face-first into Thorn’s chest.
Ow! That might leave a mark.
He grabs my shoulders to steady me. “Where’s the fire, sweetheart?”
Rubbing my nose, I remember what Grim just confessed. They were all in on the deception. I’m sure they all got a good laugh about Grim marrying the poor preacher’s daughter when they found out his real motive.
You remind him of his mom. You’re a charity case, someone he needed to save to feel vindicated.
“Sorry, Thorn.” I peek around him and see the one person who can get me out of here. “Jez!” I call out just as Grim stomps into the room. I try to duck around Thorn, but Grim grabs my arm and twirls me around. “Let. Go. Of. Me.” I punctuate every word.
He immediately drops my arm. Everyone is staring at us, but I don’t care. I’m tired of always doing what’s right only to keep getting shit on.
Jez pops up next to me, her eyes darting back and forth between me and Grim. “What’s going on?”
“I need to get out of here. Can I come stay at your place?”
Grim’s eyes go round. “You can’t fucking leave.” His movements are jerky. “We need to finish talking.”
“The time to talk was weeks ago. I’m showing you the same courtesy you showed me.” I look over at Jez. “Please, Jez,” I beg.
“I don’t know what the hell is going on, but yeah. Meet me in the garage. Dodge Charger, matte black, purple racing stripes,” she says and tosses me the keys.
Grim goes to grab me again, but Jez puts her hand on his chest to stop him.
