Page 59 of Tainted Ties

Aurora narrowed her eyes at me. “Yes.” Turning away, she muttered, “I could never do such a thing.”

“Because you fear blood,” I stated, knowing it to be true.

Her head snapped back up at me, eyes glossed over with weary. “How did you…”

A storm brewed within me, remembering her earlier appearance. “You passed out in my arms after you were covered in blood. I put two and two together.”

Fear crossed her features as she shook her head, conjuring up anything to make me believe otherwise. “No, no. That wasn’t why I passed—”

I cut off her lie. “Then it was your fear of me? Is that it?”

“I’m notafraidof you,” she seethed.

My lips tipped up, knowing I had goaded her successfully. “Then don’t lie to me. I hate liars.”

“And I hate you!” she repeated, flustered.

“So, you keep saying,” I drawled, driving her insane with my nonchalant demeanor.

“I do.”

The first drops of rain fell on us as we stared at each other. Her nose flared, my own anger mirroring hers as I tried not to act on impulse.

“Why did you come back then? If you were planning to leave anyway, why come back?”

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked skyward. “Did you kill Enzo?” she asked.

I could tell her the truth, but would she believe me?

Aurora gazed at me, squinting against the rain that suddenly picked up speed.

As lightning struck in the distance, I realized Iwantedher trust. Iwantedmore of her.All of her.

She was mine and I didn’t care if she hated me. I would take her anyway.

“I didn’t and neither did my men.”

Her hair was plastered against her distraught face and my chest pinched involuntarily seeing her in agony.

The rain pounded against the pavement, and I strained to hear her when she said, “I can’t stay. My father believes you did it, which means the contract is void.”

My heart picked up speed at what she confessed without saying it.She believed me.

Thunder boomed again, charging the tension in the air.

My need for Aurora at this moment blinded me from all morals and judgment. I was done thinking. “Come here.”

Rain came down faster and harsher, cooling the heat radiating off me before the sound of thunder rumbled around us.

Aurora didn’t budge from her spot, but the way her cheeks warmed in color, I knew she was losing this round.

I pushed back the tendrils of hair that had stuck to my forehead. “Come here, baby,” I soothed, even though I was a second away from grabbing her myself.

I was never one for endearments, but with Aurora they came naturally.

Her tongue ran along her bottom lip. “The contract. And—and I don’t want to stay here.”

Yes, the contract that she was using as an excuse to resist her urge, but I was in no mood for games tonight. “Did you think it would be so easy to leave me? You’remywife, Aurora. The contract is void when I say it is,” I growled. “Come here. I won’t ask you again.” Indulging her, I took a step forward.

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