Page 81 of Nemesis
He snapped and stepped forward until my back was firmly pressed against the banister. My hands gripped it, resisting the urge to touch him.
He snaked his hand up my front, pressing his palm above my chest, where my heart rested under my rib cage.
“This is mine. This has always been mine,” he declared, every word slow and deliberate as he moved closer, fitting himself against my front.
My heart cracked at his words. I knew my words wouldn't convince him, so I turned my head away from him when he dipped to kiss me.
He flinched, blinking several times as if I’d slapped him. He finally released me and stepped away quickly, putting distance between us, making me instantly miss his scent enveloping me.
Cold air swept over me, replacing the previous warmth he’d seared against my skin, and I wrapped my arms around my middle, trying to keep it at bay.
The previous warmth in his eyes dissolved into a burning rage, my words finally solidifying in his mind, the realization of my lies seeming to click. His gaze hardened, and his jaw clenched, my betrayal hitting him square in the chest, splitting it open for me to watch it bleed.
“You’re serious,” he said after a beat. I kept my eyes on his chest, refusing to meet his cold gaze. “You’re choosing him over me, is that it? I saw you looking rather comfortable with him tonight. Is he what you want?” His voice dripped with venom.
No,I wanted to yell at him.You’re what I want, but I can’t have you. Not just yet.
I wanted to confess, wanted to stop him from walking away. I wanted to take back everything I’d just said, but I couldn't.
So I settled for the easiest way out. Silence.
Theo shook his head, his expression turning stoic before his gaze drifted to the skyline behind us, huffing out a sardonic laugh. He pressed his lips together and nodded, seeming to have accepted my decision.
I could feel his heart closing over the wounds I’d caused, the repercussion of it turning malignant in my blood. “Fine, Sofia. If that’s what you want,” he finally said.
Tears burned behind my eyes at his detached tone. I watched him take off as he slammed the glass doors shut behind him, disappearing from view.
I stood there, shivering as I fought the urge to go after him and explain everything. I wanted to run after him and beg for forgiveness, expose my lies because seeing the gutted expression on his face hurt me more than I could’ve imagined.
But I had to remind myself what tonight was for.
Despite having the man I’d always wanted right within my reach, I had dead parents and a debt of vengeance to collect. I hadn’t come this far not to collect my retribution.
Shaking it off, I headed back inside. After making sure no one else was on the floor, I stalked toward the loosened vent where everything I needed to subdue Victor had been sitting since my visit last week.
I noticed the camera flickering. I dismissed it, knowing the cameras that covered this side of the building had been interfered with, showing a replica of footage from last night.
The other cameras weren’t tampered with since I needed them to show the people who’d shown up tonight. But since this side of the building would be restricted to guests, it wouldn’t raise suspicions.
Moving the old mirror set in front of it, I wiggled the unscrewed vent’s door, removing it from its place and setting it beside me. I then grabbed the small duffle bag that sat inside. Unzipping it, I reached inside of it and picked up my thigh holster, securing it and strapping on my Beretta to my right leg for easier access.
My hand reached back inside to grab my last piece of equipment when my fingers brushed against the edges of a tucked piece of the last tangible memory I owned.
I slipped the photo free from the hidden pocket, the smell of a home lost wafting through my nose. The edges were frayed, the colors smudged in the bottom corners. But the family smiling back at me was still the same, trapped in time as if that unforgettable night had never happened.
This had beenBaba’s last birthday we’d celebrated all together before I’d left a few days later for college.
I looked up, holding back the tears that were threatening to spill out. Bringing my gaze back down, I caught my reflection, hovering over the snapshot in my hand. My eyes flickered across the picture, comparing the young woman there to the one staring back at me.
She looked carefree. Happy. Butshehadn’t witnessed her parents being brutally murdered.Shehadn’t experienced emptiness, what it felt to have no home, nothing anchoring her.
You have Theo. Had Theo.
The person I was with him wanted to wake up, wanted to revolt and stretch under my skin, but Victor had created this new version that was hungry for retribution.
I had to push any thoughts of Theo aside because what I was about to do left no room for emotions. My revenge needed to be devoid of emotions. Any feelings could mess up my plans and that was something I couldn’t afford.
I checked the time before dropping a quick text message to Victor, inviting him to join me in the gardens for some alone time, knowing he would jump at the opportunity and make sure Jaxon stayed behind.
