Page 109 of Broken Pieces
“Past what, huh? You really believed I cared about you? Give me a break. Quit being so damn naive; it's beneathyou,” I retort, throwing the same words back at her.
I’m holding on to anything that will drive her away as my heart is fucking clenching so hard I can physically feel itbreaking. I’m driving away the only woman that has takendown my carefully crafted walls. The only one who has been able to see through the good, the bad, and the ugly. All because I have no other fucking damn option at this point.
“You're lying,” she declares, and it seems like she's telling herself that more than me.
Aria is a smart girl. I’m not taking that away from her. But I’m a determined motherfucker. I gulp, locking my gaze on her. My tone is icy and sharp… one I don’t even recognize. “We dated and fucked a few times. I know I said I was going to be there for you, but I’m not a relationship guy, never will be. We just got caught up in the moment. Move on.” The lies flow easily, the words tasting like pure vile in my mouth.
She steps back, her head shaking in disbelief, laughing humorlessly. Angry tears fill her eyes, squeezing her hands so hard, her knuckles go white. “Fuck you,” she snarls. “I can’t believe I fell in love with a coward who can’t face me head on and tell the fucking truth. You’re taking the easy way out, and you know what? I’m going to let you. Hope you’re happy with your decision.” She storms out of the kitchen, her angry steps echoing toward the elevator.
Fell in love with?
My heart drops, body trembling with the knowledge that she fucking loves me too. I’ve never felt worthy of her love, and while I was falling head over heels for her, I neverrealized she was falling for me too. How fucking naive am I?
The elevator doors shut, a dead silence settling in the apartment.
I smash the bourbon bottle against the white kitchen wall, shouting in frustration, “FUCK!” The yell that comes out of me is hoarse, raw and fucking brutal.
Tears of anger; sadness; desperation escape my eyes quickly as I plummet to the floor that has broken glass scattered, mixed with the gold smoky booze. I rest my head against the wall as I let my tears out and I scream from the top of my lungs until my voice gives out.
I'm still boiling with frustration from yesterday’s encounter as I bang on the gallery's main door, waiting for Isabella to open up. Couldn't find that stupid key, not that it matters now. I'm officially done. No clue what's next for me. Maybe The Institute will take me back, or maybe not. All I'm sure of is that I'm fucking done with this place, with Damian, all of it. I know deep down he’s pushing me away and lying, but I don't have the heart to keep pushing when he clearly gave up.
Isabella comes to the door, swinging it open fast. “Aria, good. You're here.”
“I'm just here to grab my things.”
Worry shows on Isabella's face. “What happened?”
“Your dumb boss happened, that's what.”
“Is that Aria?” a male familiarvoice says as he’s approaching us.
I recognize him. I think he’s Damian’s head of security. Lorenzo’s best friend too, if I recall correctly. His name is… Matt? I don’t know. My brain is still foggy from yesterday’s fight.
“Solid detective work, Matteo. I see why Damian pays you the big bucks,” Isabella remarks sarcastically.
Matteo. That’s right.
He's good-looking in that friendly, guy-next-door way. His blond hair is kind of all over the place, and he always has this friendly, boyish grin on his face. But his eyes? They’re icy blue. And they hold… so much. If I look at them for too long, they startle me.
I step into the gallery. “Sorry to interrupt, guys. I won’t be here long.”
“We actually need to talk to you,” he says.
“Matteo,” Isabella warns.
He looks directly at Isabella, saying, “Clock's ticking, Sunshine. I can't waste time being indirect.” His gaze locks on me now. “What can you tell me about Alex Brown?”
Ugh. I swear he’s like a cockroach that refuses to die.
“Not much to tell. We went to school together, and we became close friends quickly. Apparently, he and Damian had some issues in the past? He’s been a royal pain in the ass these past few months. They’ve gotten into a few altercations.” I narrow my eyes. “Why?”
He thins his lips, nodding. “Ifmy sources are right, he’s the answer to all of our problems. Behind all of this.”
I’m all tangled up in confusion now. Is Alex behind this? Somehow, it doesn’t shock me. These last few months taught me that he’s as sly and shady as they come.
“What sources, exactly?” Isabella questions.
Lorenzo strides in, speaking up for Matteo, “Considering he broke the guy’s fingers, a reliable one.”
