Page 106 of My Turn

I held up my hands in surrender, still smiling. “Alright. That’s my mistake.”

“I’m done with this. You had one last joy ride, now we can part ways.”

“Part ways,” I repeated. My own anger was rising to the surface, making my skin hot. “You ruined me for anyone else and you think you can just walk away?”

“I didn’t do anything. Your obsession is on you.”

Closing the distance between us, I grabbed her jaw in one hand and backed her up against the dresser.

“I’ve loved you for as long as I’ve known you. I’ve kept you safe, fucking killed for you.”

“You…” She drew in a shuddering breath. “You killed people?”

“Threats.” I waved a dismissive hand. “They get eliminated.”

“This isn’t a game!”

“Everything is a game, Alana! Life is a fucking game. There are winners and losers. We can cheat, lie, manipulate the odds. Everybody is keeping score and if you haven’t figured that out then you’re too naïve.”

Her jaw worked as her eyes fell to my chest. “I’m not naïve.”

“I manipulated you, Alana. Over and over again. And it was so fucking easy to make you kneel to me. It’s a game and you’ve lost every fucking round.”

“Yeah, you manipulated me. I think that speaks more to your character.”

“If I can fuck with your mind, what’s stopping anyone else from doing it, huh? If someone else showed up wearing this mask, would you know the difference?”

“Yes.”

“I think you’re fucking weak.”

“Stop it,” she said in a small voice that pissed me off more.

“For years, you were too much of a coward to admit you loved me. Even when he was gone, you wouldn’t do it. You invite me here, then try to run away after you play your hand. For what?” I laughed and squeezed her cheeks harder. “That’sweak.”

She slammed her hands against my chest. It made me smile and I pressed my body closer to hers. Her palm connected with my cheek. Letting out a scream, she shoved me with all of her strength, then turned her head and bit my fingers that still held her face.

“There. Fucking finally. Why didn’t you fight this hard before? Why’d you let me come in here and fuck youagain?”

“Because it’s you.” Her eyes welled with tears, making the green shimmer. “But you’re a bad person. You’re not who I thought you were.”

I loosened my grip on her, stroking across her jaw. “You liked me when I was only the monster and when I was the hero. Now, you know I’m both and you’re somehow jumping on a high horse. Somewhere deep down, you knew. I think you knew the whole time.”

“No.”

With a chuckle, I slid both of my hands to her waist. “You trusted me too quickly, Alana. You gave in so easily, before the tattoo had even healed on your cunt.” I kissed a few of the tears on her cheeks. “You gave yourself to the beast inside of me because you were too much of a coward to take what you truly wanted.”

“And what’s that?” she demanded.

“All of me. You wantmejust as much as I’ve always wanted you.”

“You just want my compliance. My submission.”

“No. I don’t want you to bend to my will. Not until I make you. You weren’t made to be mediocre. I don’t want easy. I don’t want complacency. I wantthis. Us. Forever.”

I pulled her into a kiss. She gave in for a moment before she turned her head.

“Put the mask on.”

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