Page 245 of Deceit

His elbow thrusts back, catching his opponent in the face. The younger guy wastes no time and backhands me. I see stars, but I know where he is, giving me an opportunity to kick him in the shin.

The moment I make contact, I’m hurled back by my hair as the man who just bitched-slapped me goes to help his buddy take on Bishop. But when both can’t get a handle on him, they both whip out their guns and point them.

“See, Emmy,” Alexander whispers in my ear with a sneer. “You caused a whole lot of trouble.”

I quickly examine Bishop, who’s heavily panting and boring a heated and dangerous glare at the man behind me. I don’t see any blood, which frightens me.

The bullets didn’t go through, so they're in his back somewhere.

“Just let him go,” I quip. “You’ve made yourself clear. I’m the one you want.”

“And you’ve already made it quite clear that you’re upset with me,” my ex says. “What’s to add one more thing to the list of reasons why you hate me than to take out the guy who seems to have your heart.”

A mirthless chuckle escapes my lips. “Heart? After what you both did to me? You both can go fuck yourselves.”

“I don’t buy it.” Alexander’s grip on my hip tightens. “You’relying.”

“About what?”

He whirls me and clamps his palm around my face, squeezing into my cheeks with his fingertips. “He stayed here last night.”

“Because he wouldn’tleave.”

“Are you trying to tell me that you’re not fucking him?” He said it so harshly that he rattled my skull with his grip.

“Ding, ding, ding. You win.” I clutch his hand with mine and squeeze back, digging my nails into his flesh. “Did your so-called therapist say it was okay to stalk your ex who you tried to kill? Oh, shit, wait that’s if you’reseeingone.”

“Iam.”

I snort. “And here we are. Must not be working.”

“Don’t act so moral, Emmy Lou. It doesn’t fit you. You worked for the President of the United States. I’m sure you’ve dealt in your own shade of shady.”

“And I’m sure you have as well. I mean…did you call someone to come dig a hole for me after you left me to bleed to death?”

Alexander frowns at me as if I just told him something that wasn’t true. That I have the absolute audacity to talk about it. “Are you ever gonna try to get past this, or am I beating a dead bush at this point?”

“Depends.”

“On?”

“What you’re doing here tonight.”

“You want me to spare this asshole?” I keep my lips closed. “No?”

“I want a man that knows right from wrong,” I leer. “Why would I need to answer something like that? I require a father to my kids, not a killer.”

His expression tightens. “I told you that I’d never hurt you again. I meant that.”

“And here I am.”

“I love you, Emmy. Our relationship wasn’t bullshit. You just have a knack for running your mouth, and…you questioning me made me feel cornered. I snapped.” I try to pry my face from his grasps, but he holds on even tighter.

“Let me go.”

He shakes his head hopelessly. “I can’t. I want to, but…you’re it for me. As pissed as I am, you’re it.”

“I don’t—“ His lips slam into me, hard. His tongue demands entrance, but I deny him. And when I do, he works at the waistband of my leggings. “Stop.”

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