Page 121 of Shades of Loyalty
And worse? I’m terrified I’ll break her even more if I try.
“My pretty girl…” I sigh. My next words will either make or destroy everything.
“That man was involved in my downfall. I could’ve died, and he was part of all this. Hedeservedthis...”
Jennifer looks up at me, her entire body trembling. “I know, but… I couldn’t stay there with you, Daniel. You were so—”
I shake my head, desperate. “No.Youwere the one who said you’d be fine with my world. You always said it.” My voice drops.“You can’t change your mind now. Please.”
It’s not an order. It’s a plea. And she knows it.
She stays silent, watching me with an expression I can’t read. Then, she speaks, voice barely above a whisper.
“I’m scared of you, and it kills me, but…”
Her words shatter something inside me.
A tear slips from my eye before I can stop it. Jennifer stiffens. The last time she looked this terrified was right after I pulled the trigger.
“I know I should’ve stayed, but I couldn’t. I’m sorry.”
Her words break something inside me I didn’t even know still existed until I’ve met her.
“You can’t leave me.” My voice is barely steady, cracking mid-sentence. I’m losing her. I’m fucking up all of this… Ican’tlose her. I just can’t.
Shehasto stay. With me. It’s meant to be, I know it.
“Baby, please… Answer me…”
My fingers tighten around her wrist, not to hold her back, but to anchor myself. My eyes search for hers, desperate, trying to find the love I know is still there. Ithasto be there.
“You promised you’d stay. Please, don’t break your promise… Just stay with me, please. I’m begging you, I… I need you. Don’t you see that?”
I have never begged for anything in my life.
But I am begging forhernow.
Because deep down, I know—she’s the only woman I was ever truly able to love.
And the way she looks at me? It makes me feel like I’m dying.
Knowing she’s wearing my mother’s necklace, a family heirloom passed down through generations. Knowing she’s the only one I want.
Knowing my family has always been known for theirloyaltyto their loved ones.
And I can’t even keep one woman’s loyalty to myself.
Chapter Forty-five
Jennifer
The blood is gone, but I can still see it. It’s in my mind, staining my memories, dripping from his hands like it did hours ago.
I want to forget the way he looked at me when I found him, drenched in red, eyes burning with something I couldn’t name. I want to forget how, for a moment, I wasn’t sure if he was the man I loved or a stranger I should fear.
But I can’t.
Not when he’s on top of me, begging me to stay. Not when his voice, rough and breaking, says words I never thought I’d hear from him.
