Page 75 of Desperate Needs

I call, he comes to get me. No questions.

“Yes, I remember our deal. The driver will be there in six minutes.”

“Thanks, Pop,” I whispered.

“Six minutes, Clem. Call me when you’re inside the car.”

The call ended, and I turned my head to the sound of Connor roaring my name.

I backed out of the door, holding my phone in front of me as if it was some kind of shield that would stop Connor in his tracks, but I should've known better.

He charged at me, cupping his large hand around my neck and fusing his mouth to mine.

Goddamn it. I was so weak. I let him kiss me. Hell, I even kissed him back.

Where the fuck is that car?

“No. Stop it. Let me go,” I sobbed and pushed against his big chest.

“I don’t want to, Darlin’. I don’t want you to go,” he said.

And that only made it that much harder when he released his hold on me.

“This is not over, Clementine. This is far from over.”

I shook my head, the sound of an engine drawing nearer gave me courage. I backed away.

“Just stay away from me. The game is done. I don't know you, and you clearly don't know me.”

“You don't mean that,” he said, moving to step closer to me.

“I mean it. I want nothing to do with you,” I said.

God, it hurt so much.

The pain of betrayal was squeezing me to death. I wanted to hate him, I realized.

I shook my head, stopping him from advancing, and he froze in his tracks. That was when I noticed he was barefoot on the frozen ground.

“I know you don't mean that. You and me, we are destiny, Darlin’. We're meant to be, and nothing will ever keep us apart.”

“You sound like a psychopath, you get that, right? Well, you don’t have to pretend to want me anymore.”

I turned as the SUV stopped, a part of me recognizing Balor would have had to let it in past the big gate. I saw him standing in the periphery of my vision. His hand at his side, ready to dislodge the weapon I imagined he had there.

Connor glanced at him and shook his head slightly, hands raised like he was confronting a wild animal.

Maybe he was.

That was how I felt. Out of control, frightened, and so damn mad.

“I am a psycho where you're fucking concerned. What you don’t seem to get, Clementine, is that you are mine. All fucking mine.”

I wanted to believe him, to listen to his lies. But that was exactly why I didn’t.

To think I’d accused Liam of marrying my cousin for her father’s connections, when I was the one who let some man fuck me for access to my father’s company.

Shit.

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