Page 56 of Shattered Hearts

“You don’t believe me.” Her eyes are blank, black holes. “You don’t believe me.”

“I believe you. I want to know when.”

“I don’t know.” She studies the delicate underside of her arm, stares like she expects blood to blossom and trickle down her bronzed skin.

My throat’s tight, and it’s hard for me not to hit something.

I leave her alone in the bedroom, and I feel her eyes burn into my back as I walk away. I grab a beer from the fridge, and leaving the door open, guzzle half of it, the cool air lowering my boiling blood to a dull simmer.

She walks out of the bedroom dressed, her bag hanging from the crook of her elbow. “I ordered a car.”

“Fine.” I’m not going to ask her to stay. Since the second we met, I’ve encouraged her to make her own choices. I won’t fight the ones she does, even if they hurt me.

Exhausted, but knowing this is far from over, I drop onto my couch, lean my head back, and close my eyes. I don’t know what to do. I need answers, but hell if I know where to look.

She stands in front of me, jeans hugging her slim legs, a pretty cream blouse that can’t possibly keep her warm. She’swearing socks today, and I miss her little toes and the light pink polish.

“I know I’m broken. I know I get confused and I can’t remember details, lots of details about what Ash did to me, or my time at Quiet Meadows. Even after Zane brought me home, the days are like dreams. Nothing became clear until Dr. Reagan started weaning me off the drugs, but I don’t know what’s happening to me now. Stress, maybe. Wanting to make you happy so you won’t leave me.”

I straighten. “That’s not—”

“Rourke is your family.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” But I see what she’s saying.

“He is. He’s your half-brother’s dad. He’s married to your mom. Your stepfather.”

“Yeah.”

She doesn’t want anything to do with me because of him.

“I’m not going to ask you to choose.”

I jerk my gaze to hers. “What?”

“I’m not going to ask you to believe me over your family.”

“That’snotwhat this is.”

“What is it, then?” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“Somehow Rourke hurt you.He did something to you. It doesn’t matter if you can’t remember. It’s enough that I know he did. He’s a part of my family—a part I have never cared for—but I don’t expect that to redeem me. If you don’t want to see me until this gets straightened out, fine. I don’t blame you.”

“You were mad at me.”

“Just because I get angry or frustrated doesn’t mean I’m mad at you. What you saw in the bedroom was guilt. I’m ashamed of him, Zarah. Ashamed he’s my stepfather. Ashamed he hurt you. He was fucking Willow and for all we know, colluding with the Blacks. If I’m too close to it, say so. We’ll figure it out later.”

She sags and looks at the floor. When she lifts her head, her eyes are full of tears, but she’s managing not to let them fall. “I thought you didn’t believe me.”

“I will always believe you. I love you. Depending on what we find, you may decide to step back, and you have to do what feels right and safe. Your mental health is the only thing that matters to me.”

“Thank you.” She sits on the coffee table and holds my hands. “Since I’m dressed and the car is almost here, I should probably go. Maybe Zane will have some news about Ingrid.”

I grip her fingers and frown. “What about her?”

“After she left yesterday, she didn’t go home and didn’t contact her employment agency. This morning Zane told me she’s been reported missing.”

I drag her into my lap and press my lips against her cheek. I need to touch her. Feel the heat of her skin. “Will you cancel the car and stay? Stay with me tonight.”

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