Page 98 of Seeking Vengeance

“Matthew…” Guilt consumes me. “I need to leave.” It’s harder to say this time. Harder to admit the truth in the face of his torment. “This has to end.”

He stops abruptly, his hands falling to his sides as he scowls. “What did you say?”

I cringe against the surprise in his eyes. The rejection.

But I made a promise. I said I wouldn’t cause drama.

“I never should have come here.” My heart squeezes with the admission. With the lies and secrecy and unending mistakes. “I think I caused this.”

He straightens. “Why would you think that?”

I don’t want to tell him specifics. To ruin the fairy tale. To witness his opinion of me disintegrate like so many others have before.

“Layla, why would you think that?” His eyes narrow in confusion.

“I’m not who or what you think I am…” I backtrack toward the door, each syllable pulled from me like a deeply rooted tooth. “I’m not a good person.”

“Hey.” He prowls toward me, eating up the space, reclaiming my cheeks in his palms. “Stop it. This wasn’t about you.”

“You don’t know that.” The truth sits like bile at the back of my throat, needing to be expelled. “I’ve put you in danger with what I’ve done with the Costas.”

His eyes scan me. Scrutinize. “Tell me everything.”

“I can’t.” I’m too ashamed.

“Layla.” His voice drops in warning. “Emmanuel has nothing to do with this. Neither do you. So whatever it is you’re worried about, don’t.”

He’s in denial. About me. About Emmanuel. I step back, needing to leave. To end this before I drown in him any further. But he holds me captive with his palms, matching my retreat with a bigger advance. He keeps us toe-to-toe, hip to hip, almost heart to heart, weakening me with his savior complex.

“The purse that was stolen from me in Denver had cyanide in it,” I blurt, needing him to let me go. “If it got into the wrong hands, along with my ID, and the Costas caught wind of it…” I cringe, hating the shocked scowl peering back at me. “They’d know they were my target. They’d want to strike first.”

He doesn’t speak. Doesn’t move.

It’s only harsh eyes and harsher energy bearing down on me.

“Now will you let me go?”

“No,” he repeats with steadfast conviction. “Downstairs had nothing to do with you. Lorenzo was the target. He’salwaysthe target. So if anyone is to blame, it’s me for placing you in danger.”

24

Matthew

This moment has been destined.It’s only ever been a matter of time. And even though I’ve known it’s been approaching since the moment we met, I’m far less prepared than I was the night she walked into my life all confident and magnificently mysterious.

“How do you know?” She blinks back at me, confused.

“He’s a powerful man.” I release her cheeks and retreat, needing a break from her scrutiny.

“How powerful?”

I wipe a rough hand down my face, becoming less ready for what’s to come with each passing second.

I don’t want her to deal with this now. I was meant to tell her in my own time. In my own way.

I huff a deep breath. “Powerful enough to—”

A pounding knock sounds at the door. She startles, gasping at the noise, exposing just how fragile my decisions have made her.

---