Page 75 of Vicious Vows

“Why did you come here?” I asked.

“I wanted to see if you were okay.”

“You can see that I’m fucking perfect.”

He clenched his fists when I used his favorite word.

“If you don’t like my language, you should probably go.”

I didn’t want him to go, but I had no other way to express my anger over this situation. He hurt me twenty minutes after he said he loved me.

“I realize you had a shock today.” He set his hand on my thigh. “I also know you drank entirely too much this afternoon, but my patience only goes so far.”

“I didn’t drink enough, because I still can’t forget that you lied to me.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” He smacked his palm against the sofa cushion. “Yes, I lied to you. Get over it.”

“What if I can’t get over it?”

“There are things about my work that I’ll never discuss with you because they are none of your business.”

“My father shooting me is none of my business?” I scurried out of his lap. “How do you figure?”

“The aftermath is none of your business.” He stood and pointed at me. “I suggest you drop this whole thing. Don’t throw a temper tantrum, and do not provoke me. It won’t go well for you.”

“Here we go with the threats!” I threw my hands in the air. “I’m going to find the champagne.”

I hustled down the hallway and to the kitchen, extremely aware that he wasn’t far behind me. If he didn’t want me to provoke him, he shouldn’t have followed me.

He gripped my arm and turned me toward him. “Don’t walk away from me.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

The intensity in his gaze was more complex than usual. I could irritate him, but I knew when to pull back, even if he didn’t think I did. This was one of those moments when I should retreat, but I didn’t want to stop. Perhaps it was the alcohol making me more daring than usual, or maybe it was the anger and hurt over what my father had done.

Taking all of this out on Marchello might numb the pain the champagne couldn’t touch. Fighting with him and making him punish me was what I wanted.

What is wrong with me? Why do I crave his toxicity?

“Were you ever going to tell me?” I asked.

He shook his head.

“That’s it?” I lowered my head. “I’m just supposed to let it go and forget what happened?”

“I’d like it very much if you could.” He lifted my chin and whispered, “Please.”

Why didn’t I leave it there? Why couldn’t I accept that he wasn’t going to tell me any more than he already had?Because that’s not who I am.

“I told you I needed space,” I said.

I had to do the mature thing for once. I had to be the one to stop before we both did something we couldn’t take back.

“I gave you a few hours with your companion, who was irresponsible and got you drunk.” He gritted his teeth. “You can barely stand on your own.”

“I’m not that drunk.”

“You’ve been swaying since I walked in.”

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