Page 27 of Bound by Adoration

The door swung open, crashing into the wall, and I reached for my gun at my side, which wasn’t there. Turning quickly and instantly pulling Nyx behind me, the big grouch stood there heaving in and out ragged breaths to the point his nose was flaring, and a vein was popping out of his neck. “What the fuck?” he growled low, pissed as hell to see us together like this. But I didn’t give a shit.

“We were about to, but you had to break down the damn door,” I fired back, and Raid came barreling into the room like a fucking bull. And completely full of shit.

Nyx tensed behind me. She couldn’t be embarrassed to be with me. Or regret it? Or feel guilty. Truly guilty? Could she?

“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill you.” Raid came at me, and I stood, planting my feet ready for him. Guess it was as good as a time as any to get this shit settled.

“You can try,” I challenged him. “Guess the truce is already over.”

One second Nyx was on the bed, the next she was sandwiched in between, one hand on Raid’s chest the other on mine. Raid halted, and I stayed in place, my eyes not going off of the man.

“Stop!” Nyx shouted loud. “You two are not going to fight. You’re each going to a room to cool off.”

“Sorry, babe. Not happenin’,” Raid growled low. He wanted a piece of me. Fine. It was past due. Let’s do this and be done. That was what needed to happen. Closure. We never had that. Might as well do it now.

“Oh yes, it is happenin’,” she retorted, her head swinging to Raid. “You don’t own me. Should I have kissed another man…” She shook her head then looked down to the floor. “No. Probably not without talking to you first.”

Fuck. She felt guilty? Was that what the tension was moments ago? Did she regret kissing me? I knew she didn’t up until Raid came in, but that statement…

My stomach fell to my feet with a pain like I’d never felt hit hard and fast. It was a million knives stabbing every inch of my body. Never had she felt in a negative way toward me.

I was too late. She loved Raid. Not me. Even if she kissed me like I was her air, I wasn’t.

I was the one barging in on her. Interrupting her life.

Disappointment and grief filled me, but I didn’t show it. I didn’t cut myself open anymore. I’d done it to Nyx twice. This was strike two, and I was done. Done with all of it.

“No! You shouldn’t have!” Raid roared, and a switch flipped in Nyx as she turned directly to him, her finger poking Raid in the chest.

“If you think for one second I’ll allow you to dictate my life and order me around or speak to me like that, you’re sorely mistaken. You’re in my life because I allow you to be. You keep barkin’ at me like a damn dog, I’m gone.”

“Your lips were on his, Nyx. You can’t expect me to be okay with that,” Raid said, and my heart squeezed so painfully it was as if I were bleeding on the floor.

“I have a history with Liam,” she began to explain, and each word cut me deeper than the one before. I was her past, her history, and he was the future.

I was the odd man out. They were the only two in the room. Their attraction undeniable. Their connection palpable. It was like this wall surrounded them, locking them in.

I had no place here.

Never had a place in Sumner. Even when I thought for a moment I did, that I could be with Nyx, it was all a fantasy. One I needed to cut off and out of my mind for good. As much as it pained me, Nyx needed to be my past. I’d always love her. But I wouldn’t live my life as someone’s regret.

I needed to get this shit done with Clara and get the fuck out of this town.

This time I was never coming back. Never stepping a foot on this soil again. There was nothing for me here. No one for me here. I’d been so wrong.

Picking up my shirt and holster from the floor, I said nothing and made my way to the door. They wanted their time together. It didn’t mean I had to stand here and watch it.

“Wait!” Nyx yelled out, but I didn’t. I couldn’t look at the two of them again.

It would be too much, and no way in fuck was I going to show either of them the pain I felt in my soul.

My pride wouldn’t allow it.

After putting on my clothes, I pushed the button on the door lock, opened it, and shut it behind me.

It was time to get the fuck out of here, get my shit handled and leave, and stay gone forever.

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