Page 114 of War Within
“Fair enough.” I nodded once, leaving the room, closing the door.
Checking my watch, I looked at the time, hoping she would join me soon. Clara, the housekeeper, had woken Jane about an hour ago. While I waited, she arranged a gourmet breakfast on the round bistro table, complete with both Italian and American options in case Jane was still feeling sick.
She rounded the corner, wearing a yellow dress with spaghetti straps and a lightweight white sweater. “Good morning.” She offered a small smile.
I stood, pulling her chair out for her, helping her settle under the table. Taking my seat next to her, I touched her necklace.
“You look stunning, and I see you're wearing the necklace I left for you.”
“Thank you and yes.” She giggled. “Does it have a tracker in it or something?”
“What?” I tilted my head.
“I’m joking.” She snickered. “You're just really confusing me.” She pointed to the spread of food. “Why break up with me and do all this?”
“I need to come clean about something.” I sighed, laying a hand on her bare thigh. “But this,” I jerked my head toward the table, “isn’t a distraction.”
“I need to tell you something too.” Closing her eyes, she inhaled.
“Can I please go first?”
She nodded, averting her gaze.
“Look at me.”
She obeyed.
“The first thing is we were told Xavier is planning to hurt us. I'm not worried about me, but I can't be like this with you anymore.”
Tilting her head, she lifted her brows curiously.
“I broke up with you to save you.” I sighed. “I thought if Xavier or his minions saw you, they would see you sad and think we broke up. But after seeing how badly it upset you, I couldn't go through with this any longer.”
Her eyes widened as she sighed. “Wow, okay um—”
“I'm so sorry. But I can't go back and forth with you.” I ran my fingers through my freshly styled hair. “There is more to tell you.”
“I don’t think I need to know more right now.” She snorted. “Trust me, it’s okay. You’re forgiven for the breakup.”
“Yes, you do need to know more. I refuse to lie or hide these things from you.”
She shifted her weight, bouncing her knee up and down rapidly.
“It was me.”
“You what?” Wrinkling her nose, she tilted her head. “Huh?”
“I killed your father.”
Hands grabbing mine, she pushed me away, growling. “Wow!” She laughed sarcastically. “No way. That’s not even poss…how?!”
“I promise it was me.”
“I want to be alone.” She stood promptly. “You'll definitely get what's coming to you!”
“What?!”
She marched away, face buried in her palms crying hysterically. I felt like an asshole. Standing, I tucked my hands under the beautiful place setting, roaring as I flipped the table. Food, beverages, serving platters, launched in the air before crashing to the ground.
