Page 84 of Legacy

“How could you marry me and make me feel—” I stopped myself, not wanting to repeat how I felt and endure the pain of it, so I asked, “How could you align with me only to take everything away?”

“I have no fucking idea about anything you are saying.”

“You do!” I shoved the folder against his chest, wishing he could have the decency to be honest now. “Explain this. Tell me you weren’t laughing and making plans with Ozias’s people while pretending with me.”

He stared at the pictures, shaking his head. “I can explain these. There is a reason for these.”

“What explanation can you give me that I will remotely believe?”

“They’re my men.”

I threw my hands in the air. “Of course, they are your men. Xenos men. They belong to you and your father.”

As if trying to calm an excited beast, he moved slowlyinto the house, taking measured steps. “No, they are mine. Not Ozias’s. They are my eyes and ears around him. I swear to you. I have nothing to do with whatever you heard.”

The sincerity of his words slapped me in a way that was worse than any physical hurt I’d ever experienced.

“I saw the recording of your last meeting. You were laughing about me killing you if I found out.”

“Recording? Whatever you saw was wrong. They updated me on Ozias, and I gave them orders for my other men.”

“You want me to believe you meet with them nearly every week only for updates on Ozias?”

Eli cocked his head to the side. “What other reasons were you given? And how do you know I’m meeting with them that often? Are you having me followed?”

“Does it truly matter? Given what I’ve learned, trusting you seems like the worst choice I could make."

“Avra. If something is planned or going on, I have nothing to do with it.” He stepped closer, but when I glared at him, he stilled. “I haven’t betrayed you in any way.”

“I can’t trust you. I heard what you said, and others did too.”

“Whatever that was, it wasn’t the truth. Every plan I’ve made is to protect you.”

“I don’t believe you.”

He sighed and lowered his head. “I swear on my mother’s place in heaven. I would never do anything to hurt you.”

Twenty-Two

Elias

Avra gasped. “You can’t make vows with your mother’s soul.”

“Then how can I get you to believe me?” I asked her.

Seeing her look at me as her enemy again felt as if something had pierced my soul.

Having her bombard me with her anger and fury was one thing. Still, the energy of utter hurt, pain, and betrayal around her frightened me.

Losing her wasn’t an option.

Whoever took those pictures, made that recording, and fed those thoughts to her about me would facea long, agonizing death. They knew nothing of the lengths I’d go for her.

My people had risked their lives to uncover all of Ozias’s plans. They had formed an extra shield between him and Avra.

Everything inside me churned, and I couldn’t control any of it. I hated this feeling and never wanted to experience it again.

We’d made a deal, yes. However, it was a ruse to cover what we actually wanted—a future together, one where we chose each other.

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