Page 9 of Breaking Away

True.

“He got hurt! It could have ended his career.”

I know. I counted each punch, Princess. And too bad it didn’t.

“If you hadn’t said all those terrible things about me, then he wouldn’t have had to defend me!”

What the fuck?I blink. Instead of blocking her out like I’ve trained myself to do, I’m back to staring. Her last words repeat in my head, and I do something my voice hasn’t done in a while.

I laugh.

The sound is rusty. Unused. But I can’t help myself.

My hand runs through my hair. It’s damp from the shower I took earlier. “You thinkItrash-talked you?”

Of course the bastard spun it that way. Not that I should correct her. No, it’s a mistake that I opened my mouth to laugh in the first place because Kavi has shot across the room to invade my personal space. I tip my head down to look at her. This pipsqueak of a nightmare is assaulting me with her pleading brown eyes. A thigh almost brushes against my leg.

A low noise tries escaping my throat.

“Why does that surprise you?” She prods my arm. “Why did you laugh?”

When I don’t answer, her tone sharpens.

“Dmitri.”

The sound of my name on her lips is torture. I shouldn’t have answered her text, and I certainly shouldn’t have let her in my hotel suite.But she said she was wandering the streets alone, and I couldn’t have that, could I?

Her forehead furrows. “Wait. Tell me. You didn’t say horrible, unspeakable things about me?”

“Like what?”

She chews her bottom lip. “I’m not sure. Tyler didn’t say. Maybe how I’ve achieved absolutely nothing to be proud of?”

The blood in my veins goes glacial. Is that what he’s filling her head with? That asshole thinks I lost it at this game? He’s got no idea what’s coming for him.

“You won’t believe me if I tell you the truth.” My voice is low and harsh. She lets me go, clearly shaken. My hand lifts, but I stop it in time.What the fuck? Was I about to touch her?

My fingers clench into a fist. To distract myself, I focus on my rage. Tyler Smith is scum. My knuckles vibrate with the need to hit him again.

“It’s fine,” she says softly, clearly retreating into a shell. Gone is the bravado. Gone is her rage. What’s left is an act of her beingokay. “All I want is the truth. I’m saying if youdidsay all that, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings.”

My teeth grind. “Yeah?”

“It’s what everyone is thinking.”

“No.”

Her mouth slants with confusion, so I repeat myself.

“No.”

Then I force myself to add, “You’rethe one who’s too good for Smith.”

Her chuckle is weak. “Hmm.”

My body strains, swamped with an urge of protectiveness, screaming at me to do something.Does she really think he’s better than her? How is that possible? Seriously?

“Step away from me.” My voice comes out harsh.Great.

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