Page 100 of Twisted Ties
The hook in my stomach practically drags me to the front door and I can feel his presence behind the wooden panel, hear his labored breath, smell that scent of his.
I take another of those steadying breaths and open the door.
He glares at me with so much thunder, I’m surprised I’m not struck by actual lightning.
“Come with me,” he growls and grabs my arm.
32
Rhi
He dragsme down the path before I have a chance to breathe. I pull on his arm.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
He halts. “What am I doing? What amIdoing?”
“Yes, you can’t just turn up at my friend’s family home and drag me out without a word. You’re not my father.”
His eyes flash with more anger. “No, I’m your fated mate. That’s meant to mean something, Rhianna.”
“Really? Funny because if that was so, you’d think I’d have had a choice in the whole thing.”
“It’s fate. You don’t get a choice. That’s the whole damn point.” He tugs me closer, growling right in my face. “And I saved your damn life. Maybe it’s about time you stopped being such a brat about it and started being grateful.”
I stare at him with incredulity written all over my face. “You lied to me.”
“I never lied.”
“You kept secrets. It’s the same thing. And you’re still keeping secrets from me.”
“Well, so are you. Running away in the middle of the goddamn night.” His face cracks, real pain shining in my eyes. “There’s a man out there trying to kill you, Rhi. A very dangerous man. How the hell can I protect you if I don’t know where you are?”
“It’s not your duty to protect me. I can protect myself. I’ve been doing it a very long time.”
“That’s where you are wrong. It is my duty. I can’t lose you.”
“Because I’m your stupid fated mate,” I spit back at him.
“No,” he says, glaring at me. “Because I care about you.”
I stare back at him with even more incredulity. Care about me? Seriously? “Wh-what?”
He sighs, his shoulders and his face softening ever so slightly. “I said I care about you. I care about what happens to you. I care about your safety. I care about where you are. And I care … about your happiness.”
The bond deep in my stomach pirouettes like a spinning top. It makes me giddy.
Is it true? Or more lies? More half truths?
“Do you know how much it hurt to find you gone?” he whispers.
I peek up at his eyes. The raging anger has burned away and I see that hurt shining there instead, like shimmering ashes.
I close my eyes. I’m so confused. So confused about everything. I feel ashamed and guilty. But I’m also so hurt by him too.
“You hurt me too, Azlan. I can’t stand all the secrets. I need you to be honest with me. To tell me the truth.”
“What secrets am I keeping from you, sweetheart?” he asks with more affection.
