Page 9 of Owen (Storm Enterprises)

Tilting my head up to the ceiling, I exhale before settling back on him. “I hurt her, Mase.”

His eyes flash with worry, and he shuffles from side to side. “How, Owen?” he snipes out, his concern for Laya, the girl who has always been like our little sister, shining through.

“I…” I can’t find the words to say it. Instead, I say the one thing he’ll understand. “My father.”

His shoulders fall lax.

The kitchen door swings open, and Tate comes storming in, making me gulp.

Oh Jesus, does he know?

Oh fuck, I’m going to lose him too. I will lose everything.

“Why the fuck did Dex punch you?” His furious eyes flick over me, his body coiled tight like a viper waiting to pounce as he bounces on the balls of his feet.

My brain seems to be broken as it stumbles to piece together an excuse as to why Dex took his anger out on me.

Mase steps forward. “He has a thing for Samantha. Jealous, I guess.” He shrugs. “Kids.”

Tate reels back, and the anger in his face dissipates within seconds. “He does?”

Mase glances at me, then back to Tate. “Yeah, I think Owen is just as surprised as you are.”

From the corner of my eye, I see Tate wince while I stare ahead, determined not to give away any of my emotions, the anguish inside me threatening to spill over.

“Shit. Sorry, man.” He slaps me on the back, and I close my eyes at his touch. The fact we’re lying to one of the best men I know, betraying him like this, sits heavy inside my stomach, and the fact I screwed his little sister has bile rising in my throat in waves of guilt.

I’m so fucked.

I grip the counter tighter, my legs threatening to give way.

Like hers did.

The agony of knowing that makes it difficult for me to remain standing.

“And you kept the engagement a secret. Fuck, who’d have thought you’d be the first to get hitched? Congratulations, man.”He steps back and focuses on the door to the foyer. “I’ll catch up with you guys later. I need to check on Laya.” I stiffen at her name. “Mom said she had a panic attack, probably been worshipped too much for one night.” He chuckles, and in the reflection of the window, I see his eyes roll at what he thinks is Laya’s dramatics. Not understanding my poor girl is hurting, and worse, I caused it.

“Catch you later.” Mase gives him a chin lift while I can barely grunt in his direction.

As soon as the door closes, Mase steps closer. “Owen, please. As someone who has a lifetime of regret, don’t let Laya be yours.” He sighs heavily when I don’t respond and heads toward the door. How the hell can I respond to that?

She will never be a mistake, even if I let her think she is. I know that deep in her heart, she won’t believe that. Never.

And I refuse to be hers.

My head spins as I unravel. I did it. I walked away and destroyed the only woman I will ever love. The only person to ever truly see me, yet she wanted me anyway.

The door closes behind him, and I sink to the floor.

I’ve destroyed the only thing good in my life. My body shakes uncontrollably, and I squeeze my eyes closed while dropping my head in my hands. Her emerald eyes flash before me, and my heart seizes in my chest, forcing me to suck in sharp stuttered breaths. Every moment we were together, every smile we shared, her laugh, every touch we ever had, her whimpers and moans, will forever be scarred in my mind. Forged in a love that only we share. A place in time where only we belonged.

Burned into my memory, engrained into my soul, Laya Kavanagh will remain my everything.

And I will forever remain in the darkness, loving her from a distance for an eternity.

ONE

LAYA

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