Page 63 of Depraved

Logan curses. “You didn’t tell her about the cameras?”

Brandon rounds on him, but I keep him leashed with my hold on his hand. “Don’t you dare. This isn’t about him. Will you ever stop lying to me?”

His friend lifts his hands in a show of contrition. “You said you told her everything. I didn’t mean to out you.”

Brandon turns to me. “I had to keep you safe.”

“You put cameras in my apartment?” I demand shrilly. “You let me think Rich’s death was my fault!”

I feel like I’m going to vomit. “What else have you done to me?”

He takes a step towards me, and I recoil. He won’t let go of my hand.

“Don’t touch me,” I beg, a broken plea. He pulls me closer. “Don’t fucking touch me, Brandon!”

He releases me as though I’ve burned him. My heart is breaking all over again.

Only this time, it’s so much worse than when I thought he betrayed me to Carter.

“I can never trust you again.” The truth leaves me a horrified whisper.

“Please, Karolina. Everything I’ve done has been for you.”

“That makes it worse!” I cry. “I didn’t want any of this. I don’t want this.”

I can’t. I can’t want this dangerous man, no matter how much I loved him when we were young.

“Don’t say this is the end of us,” he begs.

“How can there be an us when I don’t know you? Who are you, really? Bones, Rand, or Ragnarök? Which is it?”

“I’m Brandon. And you’re my Karolina.”

My soul shatters.

“Not anymore.” My voice hitches. “I belonged to the boy I loved. I don’t know you now.”

“You do know me. I’ve told you everything.”

“No,” I seethe, clinging to anger rather than succumbing to grief. “Logan just told me everything. You’ve done nothing but deceive me over and over again. I can’t take anymore.”

He’s chalk white. A light flickers and dies in his eyes.

He turns away from me, and his tone is devoid of emotion when he addresses Logan. “Send me Costa’s location. I’m going to the armory, and then I’ll take care of him.”

Logan scrubs a hand over his face. “Shit, Ragnar. I’m sorry.”

“You’ll keep her safe?”

“With my life. I swear. Fuck, I’m so sorry. I was pissed that you told her my name, but I didn’t mean to do this.”

Brandon doesn’t so much as flinch. He’s ice cold, expressionless.

He won’t look at me.

But my gaze is locked on him. I yearn for his touch. The invisible chasm that yawns between us is unbearable.

I force myself to remain frozen in place. I won’t reach for him.