Page 41 of Tainted Truth

Stepping away from between their bodies, I back away. “I don’t owe you answers.”

Zane crosses his arms and remains quiet and cold. He’s never looked at me like that before.

“Oh really? So, is this how it’s going to be? We give and give, and you’re going to take without any reciprocation?” Rio’s words hit me square in the chest.

Is that what I’ve been doing?

Possibly . . .

I’m stopped when I bump into a side table next to their large couch.

“That’s not what I’m trying to do,” I spit back.

“Yeah? Could’ve fooled me. Did our day together mean nothing to you?”

Ouch.

“It meant everything to me!”

Another glance at Zane tells me he’s not going to step in. He started to come to my defense earlier, but the white knight is nowhere to be seen now.

Rio throws his arms out at his sides. “Then prove it! Why are you always so ready to run?”

“Because—”

I can’t even say it. I’ve never had to—never wanted to.

“Because why?” he pushes. “Once again, no reciprocation.” Rio crosses his arms, taking up the same stance as Zane.

My nails bite into my palms as I curl my hands into fists. “That’s not fair!”

I don’t recognize this man—this bitter angry man in front of me. I guess I should’ve known their patience would run out.

Rio scoffs. “Isn’t it, though? I told you everything.”

Shame wraps me in its cocoon as I let out truths no one else has ever heard. “And I gave you both what no man has had of me in three fucking years!”

These fucking men!

“Let it out, Mama.”

“We’re here, Angel.”

“Is that what you wanted to hear? That I haven’t fucked another man since I left Anthony in Houston? Which I’m sure you know is where I’m from since you did damn background checks!”

They both just nod.

That’s it? That’s all I get? A fucking nod?

I squeeze my fists and realize they’re no longer empty. We all look down at the empty beer bottles in each hand. Rio and Zane smirk like they’re twins, and I don’t like how my core pulses.

Traitorous, horny body.

My blood boils.

They want to laugh? Fine. I’ll make them laugh.

I wind back one hand and let the bottle fly at Rio, and the other soars towards Zane. Each man ducks, and neither bottle hits its target. Instead, they land in the kitchen with a crash and the sound of the glass shattering on the tile.

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