Page 80 of Deceit

She advances, frame tense from my intrusion. “That’s none of your business.”

“Get out.”

“Make me.”

“This isn’t high school, hoe. Don’t make me break your arm.”

“You couldn’t do shit.” She looks me up and down again like she did earlier. “And if you think he likes girls like you, you’re sadly mistaken. You look like a fucking rotten cunt with a haughty ass attitude.”

“You’d be half right then.” She attempts to step around me again, but I mock her actions.

“Move.”

My lips curl into a bitchy grin. “Make me.”

Her fist flies into my ribcage so quickly that she knocks the breath right out of me.

I should’ve expected her type to throw the first punch, being scrappy and all that. Obviously, she doesn’t give a crap about proper manners of coming to someone’s house past midnight to “talk” or fucking aggravate.

And that’s precisely what Bishop is doing to me right now.

With his meaty hands on my biceps, he won’t let me go. I’m waiting for him to be furious with me for touching his ex-girlfriend and acting like a lunatic in his front yard.

I wanted him more than anything in the world, and I have to take the necessary steps to break that.

Just, apparently, not ten minutes ago.

“Why were you out here, Emmy?” I attempt to withdraw from his body again, but his grip remains tight.

It’s a simple question.

Just not a simple conversation.

“I was on a phone call. I didn’t want to wake up the whole house.” His eyes flick around my face, and his frown deepens.

“You’re gonna bruise.” I lift my shoulder dismissively. “Were you protecting my honor or something?”

I scoff. “You don’t need me for that or anything for that matter.”

“How wrong you are,” he drones before his thumb reaches up to brush my cheek. I feel the damage he was speaking about, but I don’t flinch from the slight discomfort. I welcome it because it’s a reminder of why he’s the way he is. “You really need to stay in your own lane, wife.”

I avert my gaze from him and take a deep intake of air before I answer, “I know you’re right.”

“You do?” I keep my lips shut. “Yet, here we are.”

“Not for much longer.” I shake my body a little. “Can I go now?”

“Cold?”

“Always around you, yeah. It’s a damn draft.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t try to pry doors open that don’t want to be tampered with.”

“Oh, you mean your feelings? Scary shit.”

“Like you telling everyone I’m your husband? Yeah…scary shit.” He drops his hands and takes a significant step away from me.

In a way, I’m glad because being near him is not only cool but nauseating too. However, it’s also invigorating and aimlessly addicting.

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