Page 74 of Piece Of Me

“What the fuck is going on, Scarlett? Don’t come here and tell me you have to go away for a week with no explanation. We’re not strangers. We’re not fuck buddies. We’re a hell of a lot more than that.”

“I have to take care of a few things. Things I can’t really talk about. You have to trust me,” she said softly. “Please.”

“This has something to do with your ex.”

She didn’t shut it down. Instead, her eyes fell from his and she kneaded the edge of her damn skirt again.

Unbelievable.

“Tell me what it’s about.”

“I can’t.” She bit at her bottom lip, and he knew she was nervous or lying or something.

“I can’t help you unless you do.”

She said nothing.

“Am I supposed to be grateful that you swung by here for a goodbye blowjob? Is that all this is?”

Her head shot up and he saw the hurt in her eyes, but he didn’t care. Not now.

“No.” Scarlett stood up. She looked so damn small and hurt. “I’m getting this all wrong.”

“But what is this? Jesus, we were headed somewhere good, Scarlett. And then this guy shows up and now you’re going away? With no explanation?”

“I can’t get into it.”

She wouldn’t meet his gaze and that worried him. Hell, it more than worried him. It scared him. He thought of his mother’s words. Of how the girls had been so excited to see Scarlett. Of how she’d just read a book to them like she was a part of their lives. Like she belonged with them.

“You’re good taking off. Leaving with no explanation.”

She nodded but said nothing.

“Are you going away with him?”

Again, no words.

Taz swore and ran his hands through his hair, eyes on a woman he’d miscalculated. A woman who’d claimed a part of him he’d never given to anyone before. A woman he wanted to fight for, but with the girls’ happiness and wellbeing in the mix, he knew he had to make a hard decision.

For them. Cameron and Ryan.

“We’re done.” His words were blunt and to the point. It was the only way he knew how to be.

Her eyes widened and he saw her surprise, which pissed him off more than anything. He took a step forward and she sank to the edge of the sofa, tears welling up in her eyes. But he was beyond her tears.

“I came to Montana when Cameron and Ryan were six months old. I didn’t know what I was getting into. I only knew it was the right thing to do. It’s what my sister would have wanted.” He blew out a long breath, his chest tight with emotion. “As soon as I saw them, I was done. I was theirs. They became part of me. I live for those girls, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect them. I wanted a future with you, Scarlett. I saw us as endgame. But you’re not all in. You have secrets. A baby Daddy to consider and I don’t want to stand in the way if that’s what you want.”

“I don’t…” Her voice trailed off.

“Can you tell me where you’re going and why?”

“I’ll tell you when I’m back,” she said, her voice pleading.

“It’s not good enough.” Taz stepped back. “Not for me or the girls.”

“So that’s it?” Scarlett’s bottom lip trembled. “We’re done?”

Taz slowly nodded, so angry he couldn’t speak.

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