Page 108 of Frozen Hearts
Not giving away my surprise, I merely nod. “Yup. You won’t see any of us again. Pinky promise.”
Lies, obviously. But she doesn’t need to know that.
Her eyes narrow to slits, assessing me for any hint of deception. Unable to see past my poker face, she eventually nods. “Alright then.” Standing on long, slim legs, she takes a step toward me. “Grayson Van Doren, I confess…”
Blood rushes in my ears. This is it. Fucking finally, she’s going to admit what she did to me.
“... that I am truly sorry for the pain I have caused you. For being the trigger that changed your life.”
Wait, what?
“But I amnotsorry for what I did. Between ensuring you continued living in your perfect little bubble and my survival, I chose me. I chose to live. To have a future. And I’m sorry if that ruined yours, but honestly, it looks like you’re doing pretty fine anyway.”
One second I’m blinking dumbly at her, and in the next my hand is around her throat as I throw her against the wall.
“You lying little cunt,” I snarl, spittle flying from my mouth and hitting her face. “Confess.”
Her whole body trembles against my rage, even as her eyes burn with wildfire. “Your dad raped me, Grayson. Repeatedly. He’d sneak into my room after Mom was asleep or while you were out with your friends. He’d stroke my hair and tell me I was his good little—
“STOP!” My hand slams against the wall beside her head, and I can feel the vein pulsing in my forehead. “Stop lying!”
“Stop being daddy’s little bitch!” she screams back.
My hand shakes with the force of my anger, my fingers pressing into her skin until her eyes go wide. Genuine fear douses the flames as her fingers wrap around my wrist and begin to tug on it.
“Grayson,” she croaks.
But all I hear is her lies. Repeating over and over, fanning the flames as I tighten my hold around her throat.
I can feel her pulse hammering beneath my thumb, quickening with each passing beat. Her nails dig into my skin, splitting flesh, but I’m numb to the pain.
“What’s going on—Grayson!”
I’m knocked off my feet, my grip loosening as I stumble to the side. “What the fuck, dude?” Royce snarls, glaring at me in shock and horror before turning his attention to Riley.
I stare too, as she slides down the wall to the floor, bringing her legs up and pressing her forehead against her knees. Her shoulders shake as a confusing jumble of emotions war within me. That ever-present anger still bubbles, volatile and toxic, but it’s covered in a layer of guilt and regret.
“Fuck,” I curse, unable to deal with this shit or how it feels as though it’s eating me alive. Without sparing her a second look, I storm out the door and up to my room. Unless I’m with Royce or Logan, I need to stay the fuck away from her.
28
RILEY
My heart threatens to launch itself from my chest and my body shakes so severely that the floor vibrates beneath my ass. My throat is on fire and my lips tingle as I curl into myself.
“Hey, are you alright?” Royce murmurs gently. He presses a hand against my shoulder, and instinctively, I jolt away.
Glaring at him with hate in my eyes, I growl, “Don’t touch me!”
To my surprise, his face shows no signs of being affronted at my outburst, and he remains crouched in front of me, patiently watching.
I stare right back, my inner turmoil on display for him to gawk at. There's an empathy in his eyes that I've never seen before. I hate seeing it. Loathe how it makes me shrink further. I don't want his sympathy. Don't want him to see me as weak and helpless. That's not who I am anymore.
Undeterred by my hostility, he repeats, "Are you okay?"
"Do I look fucking okay to you, Royce?" I snap, anger burning a path through my veins. I know I’m taking my anger out on the wrong person, but sue me. Grayson just pushed me off the goddamn ledge.
“No.”
