Page 48 of Discord
I couldn’t look at him and stared at the ground instead. The anger had me practically shaking. “I didn’t, though. I came here to ask you to wait for me, but that’s irrelevant now. I can’t be with someone who hurts my family.”
He surveyed me coolly. “Then I’ll take over and kick your brother out of the company faster than you can blink.”
The sharp pain in my chest wouldn’t let up. Something parallel to agony tore through me, springing fresh tears to my eyes. He was heartless and didn’t care for anyone else. Once more, Brandon had shown me his true, selfish colors. He wasn’t doing this out of a disillusioned form of love for me. He was doing it to protect his precious career.
“You’re such an asshole.”
He walked closer and idly fingered strands of my hair in deep contemplation. I smacked his hand away and spun on my heels. I needed to get the hell away from here and threw open the front door.
“I have no plans of making any immediate changes.” I stopped in my tracks at Brandon’s undeterred voice. “Milo doesn’t have to find out that my grandfather bought the shares. Things can remain as is, but if you walk out on me, I’ll have Colonel write over the shares then kick your brother out of the company. I believe Milo pays for your family’s expenses, too, down to the mortgage.”
I wanted to throw the door open to breathe in the air of freedom. Instead, I stayed rooted on two wooden legs. After Reid’s recent disclosure about Milo, I couldn’t bear to deliver more bad news to him. Being kicked out of his company, and by his best friend no less, would solidify his presumably fragile mental status.
“You always claimed being unable to repay Milo for everything he had done for you,” Brandon continued coldly. “So, how far are you willing to go for the brother who gave up everything for you?”
His hand reached above my head and landed on the door. With a thud, he shut the slightly ajar door, his hot breath tickling my temple as he leaned forward. I tried to step away, only to hit his chest barricading me. Brandon pressed his large body against mine, trapping me between the door and himself. His body heat that had brought me comfort over the last few weeks now sent a chill down my spine, and I struggled to break free.
He grabbed the back of my elbow and spun me. “You should have run from me at that bar.” His pale, blue eyes flashed with ruthlessness. It was dark, possessive, and downright frightening.
What the hell had I been thinking these last few weeks? Brandon had been cajoling me, but I was out of my depth with a man like him. He was right; I should have run.
“I wish I had,” I griped.
“But you couldn’t.” His fingers threaded between my hair, then pulled, forcing me to meet his darkened eyes. “It was between us from the start. I couldn’t look away because you reminded me of someone who challenged me, and I reminded you of everything you were missing in your life.” His other hand shifted to cup my right breast. I tried to slap it away but he only tightened his grasp. “If it wasn’t for your family, you’d never have any reservations about us. Every time we make any progress, they try to take you away from me.”
I was beyond provoked. The information dump had my head spinning, and his proximity was the last thing I wanted. “Don’t blame my family,” I whispered. “I don’t want you because ofyou. You’re awful. I forgot but thank you for reminding me.”
His jaw ticked. “Awful or not, your options are limited. What will it be, Mia? Walk out of that door and let me destroy your brother, or stay here with this awful man?”
The only words to come out of my mouth were, “I hate you.” I couldn’t believe I ever let this man touch me. I had been so obsessed with him that I turned a blind eye. “What do you expect will happen here? I’ll continue sleeping with you while you hold this over my head?”
He didn’t answer, indicating that’s exactly what he expected. Instead, he brushed his index finger over my bottom lip. “You shouldn’t have turned to me for comfort, Mia. You reminded me of what I had been missing, and I couldn’t wait months to have you again.” Before I could stop him, he replaced his index finger with his mouth. I pushed against his chest, but he leaned in. His tongue delved inside my mouth, demanding a response.
I went limp, hands by my side, forcing my body to become unresponsive as heat burst inside. He didn’t notice, or perhaps he simply didn’t care.
An optimistic side of me wanted to believe that I could force Brandon to see the light, and he might drop this ridiculous plot to destroy my brother, subsequently hurting the rest of my family. Then again, Brandon proved I wasn’t enough for him. Wanting me could cause him irreparable damages. He’d lose his kingdom if he wanted the princess inside the castle. I dared to wonder if he’d be willing to have the princess without the kingdom. My mind doused the hope with a dash of reality.
Brandon had made his choice.
I wrenched away from him with strength I hadn’t known myself to possess. He blinked, not having expected the reaction. Ducking under his arm, I scooted away from the door and spun to face him.
“Stop trying to manipulate me,” I screamed. “You want me to believe you did this for me. What if I told you that I’d stay with you? Will you sell the shares back?”
His nonresponsive nature confirmed my suspicions.
“See?” I huffed. “You wouldn’t. Don’t tell me you did this to make sure I stayed with you. You did this because you don’t want to give anything up.”
Brandon seemed utterly bored by our conversation and moved until he was close enough for his chest to bump against mine. I wanted to be mature and tell him off in a poised manner like Raven would. Instead, I gave into my primal instincts.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I furiously beat my fists against his chest. “You’re the worst mistake I ever made. I wish I never went to Nice. Wish we never saw each other at that bar.”
He grabbed my arms and shook me out of my hysteria. “You’d rather choose your family over me? The ones who put their hands on you?” His eyes flashed, burning holes into my soul.
“They aren’t the problem,” I shouted. “You are. I was an idiot to think you could be a better man for me.” Hopelessness stung the last sentence. “I had no idea this was the kind of man—”
“But you did know,” he cut me off.
I seethed.
