Page 260 of The Tempted

“I said no more lies but there is something else you need to know,” he shared.

Why did I ask?

“When you told me about the fire, you surmised it wasn’t an accident and it wasn’t,” he said. “Forensic report came back that it was a faulty attic fan but that shit was tampered with, an insurance policy to guarantee Danny was dead and any evidence he had burned right along with him. I can guarantee you the man responsible for taking Danny’s life and causing you all that pain, the man who gave you those scars you hide, he will pay and he will pay dearly.”

I stared at him blankly, my tears instantly stopped as I registered what he was saying. In an instant I was back in the house and I was staring at Danny’s lifeless body. I remembered staring at his hand, seeing the blood pouring from the wound of where his finger had been sliced off. I knew Danny had been murdered. I thought the fire was a coincidence even though a part of me believed it wasn’t. I rationalized that the flames that ate away at my skin, the scars that forever marked my body was due to an accident. I lived life after the fire believing I was a victim of circumstance—but like Danny, I was a victim of violence.

“Why are you doing this?” I sobbed, staring into Jack’s eyes, a man who lived off of violence. One percenter. Outlaw. The man who held a gun to my head last night when he lost his mind.

“I’m telling you the truth because you deserve it. Because I know I don’t deserve you. All this shit, these lies, they brought you into my life and I’ve decided that I want to bury the lies and keep you in my life. You’re right, reality can’t be built on lies. But it’s our beginning and I won’t let it be our ending, even two lost souls like us deserve a happy ending,” he said hoarsely. “I’ll give you a happy ending, Reina, you just gotta let me. Give me a chance and I’ll make it good for you, I’ll give you everything I got. Every-fucking-thing because I know I’m not worthy and I know you deserve better,” he solemnly swore. “You brought sunshine into my world, and now it’s my turn to give it back.”

Lies.

Happiness was the biggest lie of all.

The doorbell rang and someone banged ferociously on the door, sparing me of having to respond to Jack and his promise to fix all he broke with his lies. His truth was the dagger that sliced my heart, tearing it into shreds.

He cursed, stepping around me and pulled open the door.

“Now’s not a good time,” he hissed.

“Too fucking bad, gave you twenty-four hours to wallow in your shit,” Blackie said, pushing past Jack and walking into the house.

I wiped at my face and pulled Jack’s shirt down my thighs, wishing I could disappear.

“See you found your man. Thanks for keeping my car in one piece,” he said, as his eyes took in my tear stained face. He turned abruptly and glared at Jack. “What the fuck did you do?”

“Mind your fucking business,” he barked.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, we don’t have time for a lovers fucking quarrel, brother,” he bit out.

Jack stared over Blackie’s shoulder at me.

“Take Reina home,” he ordered his brother.

“I don’t need anyone to take me anywhere,” I replied.

“Either he drives you home or I do,” he demanded.

“Fine,” I turned my gaze to Blackie. “Give me a minute to grab my things.”

He sighed, looking back and forth between me and Jack before nodding curtly.

“Five minutes,” he affirmed, crossing his arms against his chest.

I nodded and started for the stairs when Jack grabbed my arm, forcing me to turn around.

“You…” he whispered, “…you own me, Reina, all of me. Even the parts I thought died a long time ago.”

He lifted my hand and placed it over his chest, over his heart. I felt it beating beneath my hand. A beating heart was alive inside of him and the rhythm of those beats belonged to me.

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