Page 81 of Wrath of the Fae

His face contorts as he lunges forwards, shoving me against the wall.

‘Rhea stole my Mate from me,’ he hisses in my face. ‘Rhea carved me up, took my eye and left me a scarred nightmare. Rhea is a monster. She’s in good company.’

I try to push him off, but he pins my arms to the wall.

‘You’re scaring me, Lucca.’

‘Why can’t you see them for what they are?’ He shakes me, and I groan, the pain in my head growing. ‘Why can’t you see me?’

‘I see you. You’re angry and scared. But turning on me is not going to help.’

‘They left us.’

‘If it weren’t for Reid and Cyrus, you would have died a sex slave in Serge’s basement as a child,’ I remind him. ‘Or have you forgotten that?’

‘It was their fault I was there in the first place. They dragged me to the First Kingdom to help them kill your brother. I was a fucking child, taken in by a gang of murderous spies.’

‘They are your family. They love you, and you love them. Reid, more than anyone.’ I rest my hand on his arm and sigh in exhaustion. I’m ready to fall and sleep for a week. He takes my weight and props me against the wall, suddenly looking worried. ‘It isn’t El’s fault she fell in love with someone else. And it isn’t Rhea’s fault, either. Don’t become like those we’re trying to fight. El doesn’t belong to you or anyone else. She is free to make her own choices.’ I lean against the wall, dizzy and nauseous. ‘What have you given me? I… I don’t like this. Lucca, I’m frightened.’

‘You think I would hurt you?’ he asks, looking utterly offended. ‘I would never hurt you.’ He steps closer as my legs give way, his arm wrapping around my waist as he looks down at me. ‘Never,’ he whispers. ‘I have sacrificed so much to keep you safe. To protect you. I stand at your side, no matter what.’

‘Then let go of me and let me out of this room.’

‘I’m keeping you here for your own good. They’ve twisted you up again. They’ve even got to Tessa. She’s talking about getting them back. You can’t let them win. Not again.’

He steps closer. I’m panicking more with each passing second, hating his closeness. Hating his hands on me. Hating that he’s the one that’s cornering me like this.

‘You still love them, don’t you?’ he asks, sliding his hand down my arm. ‘You can’t lie. I’ll know. Your skin erupts in goosebumps when you lie.’ He leans in closer. ‘You don’t have to love them, you know. You’re free to choose who to love.’

‘Don’t, Lucca.’ I see him looking at my lips. ‘Please don’t do this.’

He whispers softly, ‘I could make you bark, Pup. If you let me.’

‘Is that what you want?’ His mouth is close to mine, and I watch as he admires my lips. ‘You want to kiss me? Fuck me? Then what? Brag to Reid and Cyrus that you screwed their girl? Make El jealous by being with her best friend?’ His eyes shoot up to mine at the mention of her name. ‘Go on then, Lucca. Kiss your drugged-up and helpless friend.’ I lean into his face so my lips touch his. ‘Make me fucking bark. I dare you. See what happens when I’m not weak and helpless.’ I snarl my words through gritted teeth. Then I yell furiously, ‘FORCE YOURSELF ON ME OR GET THE FUCK OFF ME, PRICK!’

He jumps back, letting me fall to the floor in a heap. I have no strength left and just look up at him, utterly betrayed. Sense seems to have returned at my words. Like reality has finally found its place back in his twisted mind.

‘I’m… I’m sorry-’

‘Fuck you, Lucca.’ I kick out and pathetically hit his ankle. ‘Get away from me.’

‘I’m sorry,’ he whispers again, shaking his head and grabbing his hair at the roots. ‘Oh fuck. Fuck-fuck-fuck-fuck!’ His eyes brim with tears as he steps back again. ‘I’m so sorry. I’m a mess. A real fucking mess. What the fuck is wrong with me?’ He falls to the floor with his legs crossed and stares at me. ‘I left them there, Pup. I left El. I feel so guilty. But I’m still so angry. So full of hate, and I want them to suffer like I have.’ Tears stream down his cheeks as he looks at me, his eyes going wide. ‘I drugged you and locked you up. Oh, Goddess. I thought I was keeping you safe! I thought… I thought…’

‘Rejected Mates are dangerous,’ I remind him, struggling to keep the snarl from my words. ‘I know that. But I am not a replacement for El. I don’t feel that way for you, Lucca. I never will. You’re my closest friend, and I love you. But this is not okay.’

‘When you regain your strength, you’ll kill me. Won’t you?’

‘If I don’t, I know two psychos that will.’

‘Reid will cut my hands off.’

‘I won’t tell them. If you do something for me.’ I reach out my hand. ‘Help me up, dick head.’

He stands and lifts me to my feet.

‘What did you give me?’

‘A sleeping tonic,’ he admits shamefully. ‘You should be out like a light. I have no idea how you’re awake.’

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