Page 184 of Unorthodox

“If you are,” Jeremiah continues, “you should know it won’t be worth it.Shewon’t be worth it. If she left you, you should let her go.”

I don’t think. I don’t even breathe. It’s just, one second I’m staring at this prick’s head and the next I’m aiming a gun at it with one hand.

It’s a shame I can’t reach for my playing cards anymore.

Mamie is saying my name, and Jeremiah has taken a step back, holding up his hands, his face expressionless.

“She didn’t leave me,” I tell him softly, ignoring Mamie as I step toward the desk. I watch as Jeremiah takes another step back, but he puts his hands down, his eyes locked on mine. “I failed her.”

He cocks a brow, nodding as if in understanding. “And you think you can get her back?” He glances at the gun but keeps talking. “Because I’ve found, from personal experience, if you let her go once, she won’t let you get close enough for a second chance.”

I smile at him and see the first hint of nervousness as he swallows, his eyes darting to the gun once more.A fucking kid.

“You don’t know this girl,” I tell him. “Because this girl? She thinks monsters like you and me can be tamed. Unlike us, she has a heart. And unlike whatever fuckingexperienceyou have, she kept it together even when it should’ve shattered.”

“So, she’s a pushover?” the asshole asks.

Mamie groans from behind me.

I don’t lower the gun, but I nod toward my injured arm. “She did that. It’s possible to find a girl with a big heart and a wicked aim.” I lower the gun, but don’t put it back in the holster. Instead, I tap the barrel against his desk. “And the next time you insultmygirl, I’ll fucking put a bullet through your brain.” I shrug. “If you want, I can put one through your bitch’s, too.”