Page 6 of Twisted Ties
I look him straight in the eye. Invite him to see everything.
He stares at me, his jaw slackening in disbelief, and then he takes a stumble backward.
“No,” he mutters.
“Yes.”
He opens his mouth. Then closes it. Shaking his head as if he can’t believe what he’s seen inside my head.
“You … you sealed the bond.”
“Yes.”
“Why the fuck–”
“She was dying, Phoenix,” I say, my voice cracking despite my best efforts, “in my arms.” Phoenix rubs his hand all over his face, as if trying to wipe away my words. “And don’t say, I should have let her,” I growl with a menace that has his hand freezing.
He tilts his head to one side. “Don’t tell me you have feelings for her?”
Like he doesn’t? I’m not stupid. Not blind.
“She’s my fated mate,” I say out loud for the first time. I’ve known it for all this time. But never, not once, have I allowed myself to think it, to say it, too afraid if I voiced the thought it would make it real. What a fool. What a stupid fool.
Stone frowns, following the thoughts in my head.
“How much does she know? What have you told her?”
“Nothing,” I snap. “We’ve barely talked. She’s not exactly happy with the decisions I chose to make.”
Stone smirks at me. “The girl’s a brat. What did you expect?” I take a menacing step towards him, and he lifts his hands in surrender. “So all those new mate instincts are true, huh? You want to punch my lights out?”
“I want to stuff your tongue down your throat for talking about her like that,” I growl out between my teeth, knowing it doesn’t make sense. The girlisa brat. I still don’t want him saying it.
Stone nods, understanding.
“Your father?”
“Is unaware.”
“York? Stermer?”
“Have not been informed.”
Stone plunges his hands in his pockets.
“Barone?” I ask.
His shoulders slump and he looks away from me as if he’s ashamed.
“Gone.”
“You’re sure?”
“I went after him … I had him … I was so close …”
“And?” I ask, sensing there’s more.
“He just vanished. Into thin air.”
