Page 107 of Exile and Embrace

My heart stops in my chest as Declan grins down at me.

His dark eyes are as lifeless as ever, but the gun hidden in his waistband tears a hole through me.

Declan reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Hello, Ava. It’s been a long time. I think you and I are long overdue for a little chat about what my woman has been doing sneaking around with my brother.”

“I’m not your woman.”

His hand locks around my wrist as I try to take a step back, the other slipping into my pocket and taking my phone. “You’re going to come with me, or I’m going to have the person currently following Finnigan run him off the road. Your choice.”

My spine stiffens.

He might not love me, but I still love Finn. I can’t be the reason he is hurt. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. However short that life might be now that Declan is here.

I nod.

Declan links his fingers with mine like we’re a couple in love while he holds me captive as we go back downstairs and leave the airport. His grip is punishing, making my hand ache more with each passing second.

Declan tows me across the parking lot to a waiting van. He throws open the sliding door before glancing down at me. “Get in.”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing with me? I left you years ago. I got the fuck out of Virginia. And I want nothing to do with you.”

He grabs my bicep and shoves me toward the van.

I stumble, catching my balance just before I fall.

Declan jerks his chin at the empty van floor.

“Get the fuck in, Ava. I don’t want to kill you right now, but I will if I have to.”

It’s the right now that sends a shiver down my spine.

I get in the van, shifting until I’m sitting back against the opposite door.

Declan reaches in and takes my bag before slamming the door shut.

The moment he’s gone, I scramble to the handle, trying to yank it open.

The front door opens, and he gets inside. “Child locks are engaged. You may as well sit back and enjoy the ride, Ava. It’s going to be a long one.”

He doesn’t say another word as he leaves the airport behind us.

The road to wherever he is taking me is long and winding. I’m thrown around the back of the van, bruises blossoming on my skin.

Declan finally stops in front of an abandoned apartment building. He gets out and opens the sliding door. “Get out. We’re here.”

I do as he says, my body aching. “I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

“Because you’re mine.” He leers at me, his hand wrapping around my bicep. There are going to be imprints of his fingers there tomorrow morning.

“I’m not yours. I left you.”

“And then you went to go fuck around with my brother. How do you think that makes me look?”

“No worse than you already looked.”

Declan spins and slams the back of his hand against my face.

My head whips to the side, a metallic taste filling my mouth.

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