Page 122 of Hunters and Prey

Chapter 14

She knew she wouldn’t be able to do this without losing her composure. She stood in the living room of Asher’s condo, her engagement ring in her hand.

In between sniffles she tried to speak.

“I can’t,” she said.

Asher stared at the ring in her hand, his eyes confused.

His face turned ashen. He swallowed. “What’s going on?”

Cailyn shook her head. She had to do this quickly. The way his voice wavered threatened to send her into hysterics.

Be strong.

“I can’t accept this, Asher. I was wrong to lead you on, but it’s really not going to work.”

Asher ran his hand through his hair.

Pain shot into her gut when she saw his hands shaking.

I can’t do this. It’s too hard.

“What? Where is this coming from?”

She shook her head and sat the ring on his counter when he wouldn’t accept it.

Her heart thumped in her chest.

Cailyn couldn’t be engaged for this plan. Her family depended on her.

Asher didn’t back down. Instead, he caught her in his arms when she turned to walk out, wrapping them around her thin body.

“Come now. Explain yourself. Did your mother make you do this?”

Yes. She did,she thought. But it was more than that. He deserved better than she could give him. He deserved a normal girl without baggage—someone who hadn’t been sold off like cattle.

The tenderness of his voice broke her heart even more. She buried her face in his chest. How did she let herself do this? Her heart would never forgive. She doubted that she would ever forgive herself.

He held her tight as if savoring her scent and presence. “I love you, Cailyn. Don’t leave me.”

She drew in a breath. She pulled back and grabbed his face in her hands. She had one chance to do this and she needed to do it quickly before she lost the strength and resolve.

The look in his eyes, full of sorrow and love, made her pause.

She sniffled and closed her eyes. She couldn’t look at him like that. It killed her. She’d never felt physical pain from a broken heart. She didn’t think it was possible.

She took in a deep breath, opened her eyes, and faced him full on.

She lowered her voice. “I can’t love you, Asher. Not right now.”

Asher reached for her hand on his face and pulled it away. He stepped backward.

“What the hell are you talking about, Cailyn?”

“Just forget me,” she said and ran out the door, too afraid to look back. “It’s better that way. Forget I ever existed. I wish I didn’t right now.”

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