Page 55 of Discord
It took me a second to process the chill in the air despite the humidity. “Oh, God. You gained control of the company to blackmail me?” What the fuck?
“Yes.” There was nothing in his expression to imply remorse while the words cut me deep; nerves stretched past the breaking point. Another one of his betrayals to add to the pile.
“I didn’t want things to turn out this way, Mia. Before Nice, I wouldn’t have risked everything I built over the years.”
“Sorry to have put a wrench in your plans,” I said sulkily. “I suppose you wouldn’t consider walking away with me and leaving all this behind.”
He scoffed. “If you think I did all of this for my career, I would have stayed away from you the day I found out who you were.”
“You did stay out,” I bit out.
“I was biding my time,” he countered. “I wanted to do the honorable thing and wait until you turned eighteen. But you had to go get yourself a boyfriend,” he chided gently, running his fingers through my hair. I froze at the mention, not wanting to breathe too loud. “And then, I saw those marks on your neck. I couldn’t think of a world without you in it, and I still can’t. I gave in.”
I couldn’t stop the sob threatening to obliterate my insides. “If you care about me so much, then put a stop to this madness.”
His chest rumbled with a bitter laugh. “I want you, Mia, but I’m not a sucker like Asher. Look at his life. It’s not exactly what he had envisioned.”
I couldn’t deny the truth. I was shocked to hear Asher was at some menial desk job. It was beneath his less than humble upbringing and superior education. Milo could be so cruel when he wanted to be.
“You’re gaslighting me,” I whispered.
“How so?”
“You accused me of deceiving you when you’re the one constantly manipulating me. In Italy and throughout our relationship, if you can even call it that. Also, when you forced me to end my friendship with—” Something nefarious crossed Brandon’s face, keeping me from finishing the sentence with the wordsChris Allen.
Possessive ice blazed in his voice. “I don’t regret any of it.”
God, I hated him.
This Brandon-induced mist had fogged my mind. Thank God for this blaring light showcasing our incompatibility because I detested the idea of reverting back tothatgirl. The one pining after him. Stalking him.
I shook my head. “You know what? Doesn’t matter. I can’t do this.”
Something resembling panic flashed in his eyes. “Why?”
“Because nothing’s worth feeling so badly about myself. You made me feel horrible today, and you embarrassed me in front ofyourfriend?” It was a hard limit for me. I had been bullied numerous times. I could brush it off, but not when Brandon did it.
“You were flirting with him,” he growled. “You were practicallygiggling. Shouldn’t have done that, Mia.”
This man was impossible. It was such a ridiculous accusation I didn’t know how to argue. So, I didn’t. I glowered instead, refusing to relent. We were locked in another battle of wits, neither side willing to concede.
“I shouldn’t have embarrassed you,” he chewed out reluctantly. “Noah’s just…” Brandon closed his eyes. “For fuck’s sake. He’s just a lot closer to you in age. Better suited in that way.”
“So?”
“So?” he grunted. “So, the thought of you with someone else…” Something dark glinted behind his eyes. “It makes me fucking insane. How many times do I have to tell you that? The idea of someone taking you from me makes me want to destroy everything.” Brandon’s voice shook as he let out a labored breath.
The tiny ripples in my heart swelled. “Why?”
“Because I can’t think straight without you,” he said it like an accusation.
My breathing turned erratic in light of his admission, and I remained still as he stalked closer.
Brandon stared at me for a lone moment before his voice dropped, soft and gentle. Vulnerable. “Before you found out about the stocks, we were happy together. I’m not doing anything to jeopardize your brother’s position in the company—"
“Unless I rebel against you in any way, shape, or form.”
He closed his eyes in irritation. “Nothing has to change between us. You can still be yourself and fight with me if you need to, but you can’t…” he didn’t finish the sentence.
