Page 207 of Bad Attitude
“Yeah. I did.”
I stare at him. “You…did?”
“Raven, no more lies. I swear to you, everything I’ve told you is the truth. There’s nothing I care about but you. My job, mycareer. My livelihood, the diamonds, the hardware wallet. All of it, gone. I have nothing left but my love for you. Everything false I’ve given up. Everything true is yours.”
I shake my head. “No.No.”
“Please, Raven. Please.” His raw pain makes his voice deep. “I know I’ve hurt you. God knows, I didn’t mean to. If there’s anything I can do to prove—”
“You can leave me the fuckalone.” I shove my gunback into the waistband of my pants, pick up the diamonds and box, and stuff them in my jacket pockets. “You’re not getting these, you bastard. They’re notyours.”
“I brought them for you,” he says miserably. His pale blue eyes are glistening.
I glare at him. Howdarehe rob me of every excuse to hate him?
“Stay away from me,” I hiss. “I never want to see you again.”
“Raven—”
“No! Don’t you get it?” I take a step forward, into his face. “Youliedto me! I’llnevertrust you! And even beyond that”—I shake my head, unable to even articulate it without my rage turning incandescent—“you fuckingdruggedme! Whatpossibleexcuse could you have for that?”
Camilla’s gone very still, staring into space. Carefully not looking at either of us.
Declan’s jaw works for a moment before he can speak. “None,” he says, voice cracking. “I’m so sorry.”
“You robbed me of my agency, and you’resorry? Youviolatedme, and you’resorry?”
“More sorry than you can ever know.”
He doesn’t try to make excuses. There are legitimate ones he could reach for, but he doesn’t.
“Please,” he murmurs. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You neverhadme, Declan.”
The deep hurt in his eyes is strangely cathartic.
“Every man you’ve trusted has either left you orlet you down,” he says. “I know I’m on that list now, and it’s my fault I’m there. I just want the chance to prove to you that’s a lie too: I won’t leave you. I’ll never let you down.”
“Too late,” I say, aiming for cold and it coming out sad instead.
He flinches, like something just died inside him. His mouth opens, then closes again, his gaze locking on mine like he’s memorizing my face. He doesn’t even glance toward his sister, who stands with her hand over her mouth, watching us. Listening to everything.
What does she think of her brother now?
I glare at her like this is partly her fault, like my own guilt and shame are because ofherexistence. It’s not justified, but I’m too angry to care.
I turn on my heel and make myself walk.
“Raven…” Declan speaks my name like it’s been wrenched from his very soul.
I open the door, inhaling the fresh air like it’s life-giving. It’s far too bright outside. My eyes are blurry with unshed tears.
“Please,” he cries. “Please don’t go. I’m begging you. Please don’t do this.”
I step through and slam it shut behind me.
Closing that chapter of my life forever.
