Page 74 of Injustice and Absolution

I silently, solemnly swear an oath that if she comes home with me, I promise to cherish her mind, body, and soul, every day, for the rest of our lives.

There’s something she wants to say, and I nod my head, begging her to tell me… Desperate to hear it.

Before she can speak, her attention is drawn away by another voice.

“Delilah?”

Drew.

My head snaps to the side with vitriol in my stare and a snarl on my lips.

“Everything okay out here?” His pace slows when I pierce him with a dagger-filled glare.

Delilah’s eyes widen in shock, and she moves away from me faster than I’ve ever seen her move before. She averts her gaze for a second but chances another look at me a moment later.

Fear.Anxiety. Dread.

What the fuck?

As quickly as it came, it’s gone again.

“I’m fine,” she assures Drew with a quick, pinched smile, looking from me to him.

Turning back to face me, she places her hand in his as if his touch gives her strength. At the sight of it, my demon clenches the bars of his cage—barking, raving mad. He rattles them almost to the point of breaking. Until she acknowledges my presence again, but this time with anger.

“You can’t just come around whenever you want because you had afeeling. This is why I didn’t say anything to Maggie.”

Her words slash at me, a gaping wound left in their wake, but they're dripping with dishonesty and deceit.

She’s hiding something.

Why?

Is it for self-preservation or because she doesn’t want to hurt Drew by giving away her true feelings for me?

“Go home, Royce. I’m not your problem anymore. You made sure of that.” Her eyes narrow, and her nostrils flare as she spits her venom at me.

This time I'm leveled by her truth. Gashes I thought I felt before her final words were spoken were nothing compared to the fractures lining my heart now.

I’m not your problem anymore. You made sure of that.

My soul feels like it’s dying as I’m reminded of what I did to her. It hurts as though she’s done the same to me.

She turns to leave, dragging Drew behind her. I think that’s the end of it until he turns his head at the last minute.

He holds his chin high as a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. A knowing cock to his eyebrow.

The smug bastard.

He's satisfied with how the conversation ended.

He stares me down a moment more before Delilah pulls him back inside of the club.

I’m unable to move, still dumbfounded and crumbling from the exchange. Now more than ever, I worry for her. Maggie was right, he’s not to be trusted. I feel someone’s hand on my shoulder, and I pull myself out of their grip.

I steer all of my hurt into rage and take one step toward the entrance of the club.

Determined to make Delilah see Drew’s true nature.

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