Page 58 of The Version You Hide

“Before I saw you out back making deals with the devil,” she accuses, fury in her icy eyes.

“When?” I’m dumbfounded by her cryptic statement.

“Does it matter?” she retaliates.

“Kenz, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Please. Tell me what you mean,” I plead.

She leans back up against the courtyard wall, exhaling as she crosses her arms over her chest. “I came looking for you yesterday. I saw you.”

“You came looking for me?” Despite the situation, I feel a warmth spread through my chest.

“You’re missing the point.”

“Okay?” I draw the word out, wondering where this is leading to.

“Look, I’m just here to do my job, okay? We don’t have to be friends. You’re my boss. Let’s just keep it that way. I’ve had my fair share of dirty money in dark alleyways. I can’t be a part of that life anymore.”

I let out a breath as understanding dawns on me. She came looking for me yesterday. She saw me in the alley. She saw an exchange of money, heard words that out of context, may have sounded dodgy.

“It’s not what you think,” I begin, shaking my head profusely.

“Yeah. It never is,” she says sarcastically. “Look, whatever you’re up to is your business. I don’t want any part of it.”

“I mean it, Mackenzie. You have to know I would never do that.”

The next words out of her mouth cut through me like a knife. “I think we established over the weekend that we really don’t know each other at all.”

Despite how upset I am, I manage a laugh. “You know, it kind of hurts my feelings how little you think of me.”

I mean it as a joke, but honestly, if it was Madison or any other girl I’ve dated standing in front of me making these accusations, I’d be walking away right now, not bothering to look back.

But this is Mackenzie and I need to remember what she’s been through. God only knows what that asshole of an ex-boyfriend has put her through.

“Putting on the guilt trip,” she says, pushing off the brick wall. “Nice. The first sign of a narcissist.”

I sigh. “Please meet me tonight. I’ll explain everything.”

“No, thanks,” she says, her palms raised defensively as she backs toward the doors.

“Please Kenz,” I plead. “Look. I know I haven’t given you a whole lot of reasons to trust me, but I’m not out to hurt you.”

“I don’t care.”

“I’ll pick you up tonight.” I’m determined to prove to her that I’m not the monster she thinks I am.

“No, you won’t.” With that, she turns and pushes through the doors into the bustling tavern.

Like hell I won’t.

Chapter 19

MACKENZIE

After dinner, I retreat to my room. Like an idiot, I still can’t seem to let what happened with Dylan go and I have no idea why. It shouldn’t mean anything to me. He shouldn’t mean anything to me. But the disappointment of it all has fallen heavy, like a weight in my bones. Even after last weekend, I’d thought Dylan was different.

But he’s just like the rest of them.

Wishing I had something else to occupy my thoughts, I decide to set up the easel I’d retrieved from Pamela’s unwanted hobby pile. Then I pull the canvas out from the corner of the room and perch it on its rail, hoping it will provide me with a much-needed distraction.

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