Page 72 of Point Proven
OREN
Cleaning the kitchen, Prince glanced up at me, and I offered him a weakened smile. “I-I know… I miss him too.”
We’d stayed in Russia at one of Levander’s compounds for two more weeks after the incident to allow Liam time to recover, while also getting preparations ready to fly back.
Adjusting to life alone was difficult; the past two days without my fian—Thorne, were unbearable. He’d packed a bag as soon as we got home, electing to stay with Matt, who had relocated to the States due to a “family emergency”—family being his best friend.
While it made me happy that Thorne had Matt during this difficult time, it didn’t erase the ache in my chest that I was no longer that for him. A… A safe person he could rely on. Everything solidified when he’d loaded up Mercy’s items into Matt’s car, not even offering a farewell.
I tried to stay strong the moment they pulled away, but I fell to my knees, horrendous sobs rendering me useless. My panic attack was relentless, and the only reprieve I found was the moment I passed out by the front door. If not for Prince lickingmy face, I probably would’ve lain there until morning. Not… Not like I deserved anything else.
The best thing in my life I’d ruined, and while I wanted nothing more than to salvage it, the damage I caused was irredeemable. This was my fault. I broke our vows. Idestroyedhis trust, and even though the reason was for her, it didn’t matter.
I should’ve told him the moment he reached out about the trafficking ring. Should’ve… Should’ve told him the entirety of my past the moment I looked at those files on the couch. Hell, even before that, when we were still in the ranks; I should have told him about Stefan, my sister, and the noose around my throat.
Trust was something I valued, but this? This was the opposite of what I believed in, and Thorne was correct. If I trusted him, I should’ve told him, and that guilt… that shame would rot in me forever.
Stirring the batter one last time, I poured it into the pre-greased pan. Sliding it into the oven, I closed it with my hip, discarding the batter into the sink. A tear glided down my cheek at the lack of the pitbull next to me, begging to lick the spoon, but it was his presence I missed most, poking my side as he always did.
There were so many things I missed—small things I didn’t realize he did for me until he was gone. He always made the sheets, organized my clothes the way I liked them, snuggled next to me on nights when those thoughts heightened, threaded his fingers through my hair in passing, and always found a way to touch me, even if we were busy.
I missed it all, but it ultimately wasn’t what I needed to focus on. If I wanted him back, I needed to change. I… I?—
The snap of the front lock caught my attention as it ripped through the stillness, and the click of the door opening informedme of his presence. Part of me didn’t want to believe it, considering I’d offered a key to Simon in case he… wanted to visit after what I’d done. But as soon as I heard the patter of paws, I knew.
Mercy sprinted around the corner, her tongue flopping out alongside her cheeky grin. Tail wagging, she nuzzled up next to me, a handful of happy yips indicating her excitement to behome.
Quickly removing the sorrow from my face, I crouched to scratch behind her ears, a soft chuckle billowing from me as she lapped at the remaining salt on my cheeks. “D-Do you want some batter?”
Her bark served as her answer, her weapon of a tail slapping against the cupboards as she bounced between her front paws. While she focused on me, Prince slid across the kitchen tile, nearly ramming into her as his paws met her front leg.
Straightening, my fingers curled around the spoon. I went to turn, but my gaze flitted over the figure I knew better than myself. Lifting my eyes to him, that honeyed hue greeted me, and the utensil clattered to the floor. “I… You… Did… Did…”
Spit it out, dumbass.
He merely lifted a brow, dropping his bag on the ground. “I needed a few changes of clothes and figured I would bring Mercy by for a quick visit since it’s been a couple of days.”
My heart sank, but I swallowed that agony down. “Right.” Hands trembling, I dried them on the towel next to the sink before returning my attention to him. “H-How are you?”
He scoffed. “I think you know the answer to that question, Oren Valens.”
Splaying my fingers on the counter, I nodded. “I do.” Leaning on my palms, I bit my lip. I missed him. This whole time, I missed him desperately, and I couldn’t… couldn’t handle another night without him. Before I could stop myself, the wordstumbled from me. “Don’t leave,” I whispered. “Please don’t leave again.”
“I have no reason to stay. You can keep the house. It’s already paid for. I’ll furnish my own place as I have plenty of funds to do so.” Unfolding his arms, he pushed himself from the wall. “Prince is yours. I’ll be taking Mercy.”
“I know I messed up, I-I know I did, but?—”
“But fucking nothing, Oren. When I went behind your back and fractured your trust to keepyou safe, you locked me in a fucking cell and tortured me.This?Whatyoudid? It goes beyond that.”
“I know!” Heaving, I wrung the towel in my hands. “I know I did, and it was wrong. I’ve done so many wrong things, but you’ve been the one right thing in my life. I don’t want this house without you in it! I don’t… I don’t want Mercy to leave. I don’t want you to leave. Even… Even if it’s to yell at me, or we sleep in separate rooms, I don’t want you to walk out of that door. It’s selfish and wrong, and I know I don’t deserve it, but Iwantto keep fighting for you. For us. Even if it takes years to repair, there isn’t anyone else for me. Ever.”
“You should’ve thought about that before you told me you trusted me and wouldn’t keepshitfrom me and then did the exact fucking opposite! You should’ve thought about that when youknewI was fucking struggling because I failed Liam, and yet yourefused! You kept us all in the dark!”
Slipping my hand into my pocket, I pulled out his ring, setting it on the bar between us. “Everything you’re saying is accurate. Ihurtyou. I-I’ve hurt you over and over, and you’ve given me far more grace than I’ve ever deserved. You have loved me endlessly despite my flaws, but I haven’t been that person for you, the person you deserve. I’m not… not giving excuses because there aren’t any, and I’m not begging, because you don’tdeserve that either, but I am, from the bottom of my heart, asking you to stay… chasing you.”
Sliding the ring forward, I fiddled with mine. “I searched for it in the van. It’d fallen between the cracks in the seat, and I wanted to give it back to you. It’s yours. Always yours, just like my heart is yours, too.”
His golden eyes swept over me, and there was a flash of consideration before his anger took over once again. “Give it back to me for what reason? Everything you’ve told me has been a fucking lie, Oren.Everything!”
