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“Because you’re still in love with him.”
His words are like another slap to the face. I freeze, my chest heaving, my eyes wide.
Tristan just laughs. “Deny it all you want. Hell, you can even lie to yourself if it helps you sleep at night. But I know the truth. You’re just as desperate to keep him as he is you.”
As I shake my head, tears sting my eyes.
This can’t be real.
“Let me be clear, Aswall. If you tell him about this—if you try to fuck up this plan in any way, I won’t hesitate to sic the authorities on him. And trust me, I will find out. I have eyes everywhere. And you’ll never see your precious Xander again.”
“No, Tristan, please.”
“You’re going to do whatever I tell you to do. Understood?”
I nod, blinking back tears.
Before I can even try to stop him, Tristan slams his lips against mine. He bites my bottom lip until I taste blood, and then he licks the pain away.
I squirm, finally managing to knee him in the balls, even if it’s not with much force. He grunts and pulls away.
“Still just as much of a brat as you used to be.” He slides off of me. “Don’t forget, Sophia. I’ll be watching you. So keep your damn mouth shut and do what you’re told.”
I stare at the dark ceiling, wishing my eyes would stop producing so many damn tears.
Then he’s gone, leaving only an empty, dark feeling in his wake.
As I work to free myself from the ropes, a piece of the puzzle clicks.
I remember Dominic’s voice, harshly telling Xander that he’s fucking with my life. There was something about Tristan, too. And Vanessa.
That’s when it hits me: there’s something bigger going on here than Tristan getting revenge.
And somehow, I’m caught up in the middle of it.
I STARE AT myself in the mirror, sorely disappointed with the reflection staring back at me.
After Tristan had left, it took me forever to get out of the ropes. By the time I was free, there was no way I was going to get to sleep.
Work today was exhausting, and my shift dragged by slower than ever. Was it because I knew I was meeting Xander later? Probably. But it was still tortuous.
Now, no matter what magic I try to work with my makeup, I can’t make myself look like anything other than a zombie.
Sighing, I turn away. I need to start heading to the park or I’ll be late.
The thought of Tristan in my house again makes me shudder, so I make sure to lock up. Not that it’ll do any good. I’m about to head down the sidewalk when I notice Xander across the street, leaning against his car.
I can’t help but smile. Of course he’d pick me up.
After crossing the street, I give him a quick kiss on the cheek. He doesn’t try to touch me or hold me or pin me against the car and kiss me until I’m breathless. He just gives me a small nod.
After last night, I don’t blame him for having his guard up. But if he wants to have me, it’s going to have to come crashing down—fast.
Once Xander left last night, I called Blaze. The conversation lasted for almost two hours while I asked him every question I could about Xander. Is he playing with me? Does he just want to hurt me for his own entertainment? Or does he actually want me?
Blaze answered all my questions without hesitation, except one. One that, unfortunately, only Xander can answer.
And it’ll determine the course of the rest of our lives.
