Page 85 of Ruin

“I’m not talking about the other night.”

His eyes bore into mine. His stare is so intense, I can barely handle it.

I look away. “You can’t behave like this, Zeus. Going to Rich’s, testosterone-filled and pissing on me like you own me.”

“You are mine.”

Well, if that doesn’t just set me off again.

“I’m not yours.” I grit my teeth.

“You’ve been mine since the moment I saw you. That’s never going to change.”

“God! You’re unbelievable.” I throw my hands up in the air. “You think the alpha-caveman act is going to work? Well, I’m telling you, it’s not!”

“You said you wanted me to fight for you, Cam. Well, this is me fighting in the only way I know how.” He spreads his arms out wide.

“Yeah, well, this isn’t the way.”

“So, tell me what the way is, and I’ll do it. I’ll do anything to make this work.”

“I don’t know.” I look to the ground. “All I do know is that I don’t trust you with my feelings.”

“I won’t hurt you again,” he whispers.

“You once told me that you would never hurt me. So, saying you won’t hurt me again carries no weight at all.”

“I’m not leaving, Cam.”

“You said that before as well. And then I didn’t see you for five years.”

He drags his hand over his hair, letting out a sound of frustration. “I explained that. I told you that I was trying to do what I thought was the right thing at the time. But I got it wrong, and it cost me you and four years of my daughter’s life. I’ve paid the price, Cam. But I’m here now. I want to be with you. I want us to be a family.”

“You want me because of Gigi.”

“Is that really what you think?”

I hold his stare. “I think you love our daughter and that you’re telling yourself that you still love me because you so desperately want to get back the time you lost with her.”

“I don’t have to be with you to spend time with my daughter. I think I’ve proven that over this past month. And I think you’re forgetting that I came back here for you before I even knew about Gigi. I came that morning for you. And, even if there was no Gigi, I would still be here, fighting for you.”

“Until you’re not.”

“I’m not going anywhere! How many times do I have to say this until it sinks in with you? I’m doing everything I can to prove it. I’ve postponed my fight. I’m renting this place. I’m with you and Gigi every day. I don’t know what the hell else I can do to show you that I’m sorry. That I love you.”

He’s breathing heavily, his eyes frustrated and desperate.

I stare at him, feeling everything and knowing nothing. “I don’t know,” I whisper, my eyes starting to water under the pressure of my own warring emotions. “I don’t know what will fix it.” I sigh, my eyes going to the door. “I should go.”

“No.” He catches my chin in his hand, turning my eyes to his. “You’re gonna stay here, and we’re going to figure this out together because I want you, Dove. And I will do anything to make that happen. There’s no room for error when it comes to you. I have to get this right with you because I don’t want to raise my daughter alongside you while watching another man take you to his bed.”

“Zeus…”

“You’re mine, Dove. You always have been. You always will be.”

“But that’s just it. I’m not yours! You saw to that when you left me!”

“Cam…you have to start forgiving me, or this will never work.”