Page 93 of Bitter Lies

He shifts uncomfortably, and I eye him with a sinking sensation in my stomach. “What, Max?”

With a grimace, he turns away. “The necklace.”

“What necklace?” I whisper, praying he doesn’t say what I think he’s going to say.

He gives me an impatient look and I shrug, gritting my teeth in preparation for the blow. “You know what necklace. The one that Griff gave you.”

“Why?”

“Why? Because it’s a priceless fucking heirloom, and I want it.”

“Priceless?”

“Yes, Hals, it’s worth good money.”

Holy shit. Griffin gave me jewelry worth enough to steal? No fucking way.

“Max, are you sure?” I can’t help my skeptical tone because I mean really? I’m expected to believe Griffin would leave a priceless heirloom in my hands after deciding he hates my guts? Yeah…no.

“Yes,” he says with a sigh, “he told me once when he was super drunk that’s it priceless or some shit.”

Right, okay. Pack that information away for later.

“But why? That’s Griffin’s. Why would you want to take that from him?”

“Look, I need it, okay?”

“No, no, I can’t take that. You’re asking too much of me,” I say bitterly.

Rushing toward me, he grabs my arm painfully and crying out, I try to pull his fingers away, but he’s got a death grip on my arm.

“Max, stop. You’re hurting me,” I whimper.

“He’s going to kill me if I don’t get it,” Max says, shaking me again for good measure before pushing me away.

“Who?”

“Don’t be stupid. You know who.”

“How does he even know about it? I assume you’re talking about Patch, right?”

Nodding, he says, “I told him about it.”

“Why? Max, why?”

“Because,” he bellows, “because he gave it to you. It’s always about you!”

My stomach sinks at his wild words, once again confounded by this newest revelation. Does Griffin know about Max’s feelings?

“But Max, why Patch? Why does he even care? This is dangerous.” Max just shakes his head at me and with a wince, I rub my forehead.

“You don’t understand. Patch cares about me.”

“Oh really? Then why would he kill you if you don’t bring back the damn necklace?”

Once more, he grabs my arms roughly, and I whimper under the intensity of his gaze. “You don’t understand. I want the fucking necklace, and you’re going to help me get it.”

“No, I can’t,” I state, flinching when he smiles and shoves me against the wall.

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