Page 102 of The Pact

Gavin: The more you ruin my life, the more I ruin yours…

I don’t even know how I’m ruining his life. It doesn’t make sense. Our breakup was a year ago. Now, if I pressed charges, I could see why he might be angry. But I’ve avoided involving the police because I don’t want to set him off or have to see him in court to prove he’s a danger to me. Clearly, my passive approach isn’t working.

“Deep in thought, princess?” I jump at Damian’s voice.

“Fuck, you scared me,” I bite out. My heart’s pounding as he stands there calm and…looking so good. Jesus.

Damian’s in a light gray, tailored suit that hugs his body perfectly. He’s wearing a casual black V-neck underneath that matches his watch and loafers.

I close my mouth that’s fallen open and pull my eyes from his body to look him in the face. Caught. I’m still not exactly happy with him. Reaching out to him took a lot. Telling him I could need him took even more. I had to put my ego aside to be that vulnerable. And he thought I was playing some kind of game.

We haven’t talked much since, which has been easy because he’s holed himself up in his room.

“Going somewhere?” I ask, forcing my eyes to lock with his instead of admiring how good he looks right now.

He smirks. “Avoiding my question?”

Damian could have had the best parts of me, instead he wants me to focus on his brothers. “Sure. Like you’re avoiding me?” His stupid smirk falls into a frown.

“I haven’t been avoiding you. I’m busy…with things.” He replies mysteriously.

I shift my gaze back to the windows. “I’m not avoiding your question. I’m trying to not think at all, actually.”

Damian sits on the arm of the couch, blocking my view. Clearly, he wants some attention, despite his objections a few days ago. I’m not in the mood for the back and forth. I don’t have the energy to give him the push back he seems to like. So I stare through him, as if he isn’t there at all.

“That property still on your mind?” I don’t need to answer. I’m sure he sees it in the quick wince and tension that suddenly tugs at my shoulders.

“Cole tell you?” Damian looks away. That’s a yes.

He’s quiet for a moment. “I could buy it for you,” he mutters as he fidgets with the ring on his finger, running his thumb over the wolf’s head.

What the hell? My jaw tightens. Now he’s got my attention. “Are you actually insane? That property is over four hundred thousand dollars.” My eyes narrow and my chest heaves. I don’t know why his offer makes me angry. I think he’s trying to be nice, but he knows I’ll never accept it, so it feels more like a sick joke.

Not that I’d ever take that much money from him. However, if I did, I know there’d be strings attached. He’s invested in his brothers’ businesses, although at a cost. He becomes a part of the business and earns money off of them. Would he ask the same of Cassie and me?

I can’t give him that much power.

I offered myself. He can have my trust and I could make it so that I need him. But my business…no, he can’t have that.

“It’s not a big deal, princess. I’d be happy to pay that or double, if that’s what it takes to make you happy…to make your dreams come true.”

My eyes shift away and I bite my lip in anger. He’s taunting me now. I believe Damian when he says he’d pay for it, probably without a second thought. But why? To have more control?

I suck in a deep breath and smooth out my face. “Damian, I’ll consider your offer.” His blue eyes light up. I can taunt him, too. “I’ll consider it, if you can let me in. Show me something real and I’ll think about it.”

“That’s not fair, Thea,” he mumbles. I can tell I’ve struck a nerve. And that’s why I said it. The chances of Damian truly opening up to me are slim, at least anytime soon, so it’ll get this topic off the table for a while. I hope.

I stand to leave, however, he reaches out a hand to stop me. I’ve had about enough for one day. “What, Damian?” I sigh.

“I have something to show you.” Normally, curiosity would be gnawing at me to know what it is. I can’t muster it, although I still follow him as he heads toward his room.

35

THEA

Damian sits at his computer. He’s pulling up files and clicking something open. Standing next to him, I watch as he hits the play button on a video, taking up most of the screen.

I immediately recognize the waiting area of the studio. Nothing happens and I wonder if the video’s frozen. Then, I see it. Someone’s standing in front of the doors—unlocking them. But how? Whoever it is has a key.

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