Page 99 of Dark Alliance
They’d be dead.
I see his point. Still, I can’t accept this based on conjecture only. “That’s an awfully detailed account, considering we still have no evidence.”
He releases a frustrated groan. “My life is evidence. This,” he stabs the will again with a finger, “is evidence. And if you were anybody else, I wouldn’t even show this to you. I’d have used it as leverage against that lunatic.”
I bristle at that. “Don’t let me stop you from being your authentic self. Asshole.” I shove the papers and some fall on the floor.
Connor stares at them for a minute—the last wishes of my father, which I’ve scattered like dust—then he looks at me, his face blank. “Fine. If that’s how you feel…” He stuffs his hands in the pockets of his lounge pants.
I don’t know how I feel, but I pick up the will, stack the papers into a neat pile, and carry them toward the door without another word.
Nearly every man in my life has either lied to me or died.
I don’t know who or what to believe.
I just know that I’m truly on my own.
Chapter 30
Connor
Cat beelines for the front door of the safe house.
“Cat, stop.”
She pauses with a hand on the doorknob.
How did this discussion go so sideways?
Cat’s here and safe, and this is where she needs to stay.
Over my dead body will she sleep in the same house where our mortal enemy rests his head.
She’s the first woman—the firstperson—I’ve ever done anything like this for. I never stick my neck out for other people.
Yet she’s throwing all my risks back in my face, accusing me of having ulterior motives. Proving everything I’m doing means nothing. I’m not worth it.
I shake my head, angry at myself. Then I finish my brandy, launch the tumbler at the wall, and relish in the shattering glass.
Cat jumps out of her skin.
“That’s how I feel right now.” I indicate the glittering fragments. I’ll deal with the mess later. “You’ve split me into a thousand pieces, and each one is telling me something different. I hope you’re happy.”
Her bitter, broken laugh scratches at my ears. “Of course. Because my grief is now a Connor problem.”
“Fuck you.” I march toward her until only inches separate us. She’s infuriating me far more than I believed a woman ever could, yet all I can think about is how I don’t want to lose her.
Enter Declan. “You’re weak. A little pussy. You’ll never be a true leader.”I hate that his voice holds the most prominent space in my head, even when he’s wrong.
I brace my hand on the door. “You’re not leaving.”
Though she yanks the handle, the reinforced steel doesn’t budge. “Let me go.”
“No.” I pin her in place with my entire body.
Cat struggles to get away. First, she pushes my chest, then she tries to drop, but I’ve trapped her right where I want her. She’s not going anywhere unless I say so.
“Back the hell up, Connor!” She tries to shove me with all her strength, but flush against the door, she lacks the leverage. The only thing her struggles accomplish is making my dick hard.
